Obs. [In Ger. Katzensilber, Sw. kattsilfver. Mod.L. argentum felium; perh. with reference to its shining when it is nearly dark.] Mica with a silvery appearance.
1583. J. Higins, trans. Junius’ Nomenclator (N.). Hujus species est et … mica … Cat silver.
1677. Plot, Oxfordsh., 72. Whence I rather concluded it to be argentum felium, or Cat-silver, but that it would not shine in the dark.
1729. Woodward, Fossils, 14 (J.). Cat-silver … of which there are three Sorts, the Yellow or Golden, the White or Silvery, and the Black.
1776. Seiferth, trans. Gellert’s Metal. Chym., 10. Cat-silver. So the glimmer is called by the Germans, when it has the colour of … silver.
