amethyst
/ɛm-/ noun, adjective, proper noun
Forms amethysts
- noun A transparent purple to violet variety of quartz with traces of manganese, used as a gemstone.
- noun (uncountable) A purple colour.
- noun (heraldry) The tincture purpure, when blazoning by precious stones.
- adjective Having a colour similar to that of the gemstone
- proper noun A female given name. “The Australian rapper Iggy Azalea was born Amethyst Amelia Kelly.”
Etymology
From Middle English ametist, from Old French ametiste (French améthyste), from Ancient Greek ἀμέθυστος (améthustos, “not drunk”), from ἀ- (a-, “not”) + μεθύω (methúō, “to be drunk”), from μέθυ (méthu, “wine”).
The name was based on the ancient belief that amethyst gemstones could prevent intoxication. People in ancient Greece and Rome would wear amethyst or drink from cups made of amethyst to ward off the effects of alcohol.
From the gemstone amethyst.
Webster’s 1913
- A variety of crystallized quartz, of a purple or bluish violet color, of different shades. It is much used as a jeweler's stone.
- A purple color in a nobleman's escutcheon, or coat of arms.
Etymology [F. ametiste, amatiste, F. améthyste, L. amethystus, fr. Gr. Mead.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “amethyst”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details