Definition of "steatite"

steatite

noun
countable and uncountable, plural steatites
1. (mineralogy) soapstone (often synonymous; more information at soapstone § Terminology).
  Quotations
  Though a certain kind of paper is manufactured from bamboo pulp, the usual material of the books is the palm leaf, while for ordinary notebook purposes a kind of black tablet, called a parabeik, and a steatite pencil are employed.
  1876, "Burmah" in the Encyclopædia Britannica, 9th ed., Vol. IV, p. 556