Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SER'PEN-TINE, or SER'PEN-TINE-STONE, n.

A species of talek or magnesian stone, usually of an obscure green color, with shades and spots resembling a serpent's skin. – Dict. Nat. Hist. A rock generally unstratified, which is principally composed of hydrated silicate of magnesia. Serpentine is often nearly allied to the harder varieties of steatite and potstone. It presents two varieties, precious serpentine, and common serpentine. – Cleaveland.