onyx

adj

Etymology: From Middle English onix (c. 1300), earlier oniche (c. 1250), from Old French oniche or onix, from Latin onyx, from Ancient Greek ὄνυξ (ónux, “onyx”). Doublet of unguis.

1. Jet-black; often, glossily so.

   “Near-synonyms: ebony, raven”

   “And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.”

name

1. A census-designated place in Kern County, California, United States.

noun

Etymology: From Middle English onix (c. 1300), earlier oniche (c. 1250), from Old French oniche or onix, from Latin onyx, from Ancient Greek ὄνυξ (ónux, “onyx”). Doublet of unguis.

1. A banded variety of chalcedony, a cryptocrystalline form of quartz.

   “People talk about using marble in the bathrooms. Marble wasn't good enough for use—we have onyx!”

2. A jet-black color, named after the gemstone.

   “Near-synonyms: ebony, raven”

3. Any of various lycaenid butterflies of the genus Horaga.