Graphite is a native mineral, a form of coal, which is useful in steelmaking, brake linings, batteries and, of course, pencils, from which its common name arises. Historically, graphite has been known as black lead or plumbago.
2. socialite
Answer: a wealthy person of high public status
A socialite enjoys social recognition arising from wealth or other prominence in "high society." In Europe, this often arises from aristocratic background; in the United States, more often from money. Socialites gather at fashionable gatherings to see and be seen by others of the same ilk. Paris Hilton is the ne plus ultra of socialites. The TV series "Gossip Girl" (2007-2012) was all about them.
3. Trotskyite
Answer: Bolshevik Marxist
Marxist-Bolshevik-Leninist Leon Trotsky advocated world revolution to accomplish Communism. He was exiled by Stalin and murdered in Mexico by an agent of the Soviet Union. Trotskyites were then purged from the Russian Communist Party, which ended the movement.
4. pyrite
Answer: fool's gold
Iron pyrite is a cubic mineral, often yellow in colour, easily mistaken for gold and thus called colloquially "fool's gold." Struck against steel, it produces sparks. It is often found in locations with coal deposits. At one time, it was a major source of sulfuric acid. It is sometimes used contemporarily to make jewelry.
5. Mennonite
Answer: Anabaptist Christian
The followers of the Anabaptist Menno Stephens were called Mennonites. They are pacifists, despite having endured lethal persecution over history. Modern Mennonites are connected to the Amish, Quakers, the plain people and the Hutterites. There are Mennonite congregations around the world, but they tend to be of German, Swiss and Dutch extraction. In time of war, most Mennonites are conscientious objectors willing to do alternative service.
6. parasite
Answer: organism living in or on another
Parasites may be animals (such as roundworms) or plants (such as mistletoe) or protozoa (such as plasmodium) or bacteria or fungi. They share the trait of living in or on other creatures in a somewhat mutualistic relationship which benefits the parasite more and the host less, usually without killing the host. In fiction, both Dracula the vampire and the monster in Ridley Scott's motion picture "Alien" (1979) can be thought of as parasites.
7. Hittite
Answer: ancient Middle Eastern people
The Hittites were an Anatolean culture which dominated parts of the Middle East in the Second Millennium BC. They were invaded repeatedly until they eventually disappeared. The Hittities mentioned in the Old Testament may or may not be the same people.
The Patriarch Abraham bought a cave at Hebron from Ephron the Hittite. Esau married Hittite wives. Joshua mentions "the Land of the Hittites." The Hittite Empire fell in about 1178 BC but there is no way to know if this refers to the Biblical Hittites or to some other group.
8. Jacobite
Answer: supporter of the House of Stuart
When James II was deposed and replaced by William and Mary, the Stuarts went into exile, asserting their right to the throne of Great Britain and Ireland. They were called Jacobites because Iacobus is the Latin form of James. A small variety of rebellions occurred between 1688 and 1746 but then waned. Jacobitism flourished in the cold air of the Scottish Highlands and parts of Ireland and Northern England.
A peaceful reminiscence of the succession that was not to be is kept each year on June 10th as White Rose Day -- the birthday of James Francis Edward, Prince of Wales ("The Old Pretender"), the son of King James II who was deposed with his father in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
9. respite
Answer: care for caregivers
Persons tasked with the care of others -- family members and paid persons -- suffer the consequences of intense stress leading to "burn out." Respite care is the opportunity to escape these duties for a short period -- a respite -- in which concern may be lavished on the caregiver such that refreshment and renewal can occur. Caregiving has increased the number of persons who can remain at home despite serious illness, but has also increased the pressures on those who must attend to their needs.
10. lignite
Answer: soft brown coal
Lignite is a sedimentary rock produced from compressed peat. It produces a low-quality fuel which yields lower heat per unit burned than other sorts (e.g. bituminous and anthracite coal) and leaves greater ash. It is used extensively in steam-electric power generation. China mines enormous amounts of lignite, as does Germany.
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The suffix "-ite" often means resident of, or native of, or follower of, or believer in, or product of, or mineral containing. How many of these words ending in "ite" can you sort?
