amethyst








noun

  1. a purple or violet quartz, used as a gem.
  2. a purplish tint.

adjective

  1. having the color of amethyst.
  2. containing or set with an amethyst or amethysts: an amethyst brooch.

noun

  1. a purple or violet transparent variety of quartz used as a gemstone. Formula: SiO 2
  2. a purple variety of sapphire; oriental amethyst
  3. the purple colour of amethyst
n.

violet quartz, late 13c., ametist, from Old French ametiste (Modern French améthyste) and directly from Medieval Latin amatistus, from Latin amethystus, from Greek amethystos “amethyst,” literally “not intoxicating,” from a- “not” + methyskein “make drunk,” from methys “wine” (see mead (n.1)); based on the stone’s ancient reputation for preventing drunkenness, which was perhaps sympathetic magic suggested by its wine-like color. People wore rings made of it before drinking. Spelling restored from Middle English ametist.

  1. A purple or violet, transparent form of quartz used as a gemstone. The color is caused by the presence of iron compounds in the crystal structure.
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