Skip to content

amethyst

noun

  1. gemstone, quartz variety
  2. color
L29576 on Wikidata ↗

adjective

  1. made from amethyst, of amethyst (a quartz gemstone)
  2. having the colour of amethyst
L334410 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈæm.ə.θɪst/

adj

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.

  1. Having a colour similar to that of the gemstone

name

Etymology: From the gemstone amethyst.

  1. A female given name.

    The Australian rapper Iggy Azalea was born Amethyst Amelia Kelly.

noun

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.

  1. A transparent purple to violet variety of quartz with traces of manganese, used as a gemstone.

    The burning evening sun lighted with mellow gold the coats of the fierce little tiger-kittens — orange silk with stripes of black velvet — the broken amethysts and ruined emeralds of the poor bird's train cruelly scattered over the trampled grass

    Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are […] . (Common gem materials not addressed in this article include amber, amethyst, chalcedony, garnet, lazurite, malachite, opals, peridot, rhodonite, spinel, tourmaline, turquoise and zircon.)

  2. A purple colour.
  3. The tincture purpure, when blazoning by precious stones.

    The Field is Topaz, a Lion rampant Amethyst [...]

    Purple, on the arms of princes Mercury, of peers amethyst, and of commoners purpure, [is represented] by diagonal lines from the sinister chief to the dexter base.