Early 19th century. After German Sprödglaserz, lit. ‘brittle glass ore’ (1791 in the passage translated in quot. 1809; from spröde brittle + Glaserz; with the second element compare also Silberglas: see silver glass).
Definition of brittle silver ore in US English:
brittle silver ore
noun
The mineral stephanite.
Origin
Early 19th century. After German Sprödglaserz, lit. ‘brittle glass ore’ (1791 in the passage translated in quot. 1809; from spröde brittle + Glaserz; with the second element compare also Silberglas: see silver glass).