a. [f. L. Lēmni-us, Gr. Λήμνι-ος (f. Λῆμνος the island Lemnos) + -AN.] Of or pertaining to Lemnos. Lemnian earth (see quot. 1797) = SPHRAGIDE. Lemnian reddle (see quot. 1865). Lemnian smith: Hephæstus or Vulcan.
1611. Cotgr., Spargitide. Terre spar. Lemnian earth.
1622. Massinger, Virg. Mart., III. i. The Lemnian Smith Sweats at the forge for hire.
1625. Hart, Anat. Ur., II. iv. 73. After the taking of a little Lemnian earth [he] did recouer.
1665. Brathwait, Com. Chaucer (1901), 63. It seems our Venus had been at her Lemnian Forge.
1797. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), IX. 784/2. Lemnian Earth, Terra Lemnia, a medicinal, astringent sort of earth, of a fatty consistence and reddish colour…. It derives its name from the island of Lemnos, whence it is chiefly brought.
1816. W. Phillips, Min. (1823), 54. Lemnian earth is yellowish grey, or white, frequently with ochreous spots on the surface.
1865. Page, Handbk. Geol. Terms (ed. 2), Lemnian reddle, an ochre of a deep-red colour and firm consistence, occurring in conjunction with the Lemnian Earth, and used as a pigment.
