Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Galena

1. (Science: medicine) a remedy or antidose for poison; theriaca.

2. (Science: chemical) lead sulphide; the principal ore of lead. It is of a bluish gray colour and metallic luster, and is cubic in crystallization and cleavage. False galena. See blende.

Origin: L. Galena lead ore, dross that remains after melting lead: cf. F. Galene sulphide of lead ore, antidote to prison, stillness of the sea, calm, tranquility.