[ad. L. balanītes, a. Gr. βαλανίτης acorn-shaped, f. βάλανος acorn.]
† 1. A kind of precious stone. Obs.
1598. Sylvester, Du Bartas (1608), 462. Beset with Bal’nites, rubies, chrysolites.
[1601. Holland, Pliny, XXXVII. x. II. 625. As for the stone Balanites, there be two kinds … of a greenish colour, and resembling Corinth brasse.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Some think the balanites to have been the lapis judaicus.]
2. A fossil balanid.
1835. Kirby, Hab. & Inst. Anim., xiii. The second Order of Cirripedes consists of the Balanites or Acorn-barnacles.
