Lexic.us

Definition of Amethyst

1. Noun. A transparent purple variety of quartz; used as a gemstone.

Definition of Amethyst

1. Noun. A transparent purple variety of quartz, used as a gemstone. ¹

2. Noun. A purple colour. ¹

3. Noun. (tincture) The purple tincture when emblazoning the arms of the English nobility. ¹

4. Adjective. Having a colour similar to that of the gemstone ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Amethyst

1. a variety of quartz [n -S]

Medical Definition of Amethyst

1. 1. A variety of crystallized quartz, of a purple or bluish violet colour, of different shades. It is much used as a jeweler's stone. Oriental amethyst, the violet-blue variety of transparent crystallized corundum or sapphire. 2. A purple colour in a nobleman's escutcheon, or coat of arms. Origin: F. Ametiste, amatiste, F. Amethyste, L. Amethystus, fr. Gr. Without drunkenness; as a noun, a remedy for drunkenness, the amethyst, supposed to have this power; priv. + to be drunken, strong drink, wine. See Mead. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Amethyst

Literary usage of Amethyst

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and (1910)
"amethyst, a violet or purple variety of quartz used as an ornamental stone. ... It was held that wine drunk out of a cup of amethyst would not intoxicate. ..."

2. A Book of Precious Stones: The Identification of Gems and Gem Minerals, and by Julius Wodiska (1909)
"The amethyst is the symbol of pure love; it is also the " soldier's stone ... The signet ring of Cleopatra was an amethyst, engraved with the figure of 9<5 ..."

3. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquitiesby William George Smith, Charles Anthon by William George Smith, Charles Anthon (1870)
"In modem mineralogy, the name has been applied to two precious stones of essentially différent natures: 1. the Oriental amethyst, which is a rare variety of ..."

4. A Hand-book of Precious Stones by Meyer Daniel Rothschild (1889)
"amethyst. amethystine quartz or amethyst varies in color from light to clear-dark purple, ... Under heat, the amethyst turns first yellow, then green, ..."

5. Medals of the British Navy and how They Were Won by William H. Long (1895)
"The prize, a fine new frigate, was token to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and when repaired, was added by the same name to the British Navy. THE "amethyst," AND ..."

6. Gems; Notes and Extracts by Augusto Castellani (1871)
"THE amethyst. THE amethyst, like all gems, is both Oriental and Western. The Oriental amethyst is a clear corundum of a violet colour, somewhat reddish and ..."

Other Resources: