amethyst
pronunciation
How to pronounce amethyst in British English:
UK [ˈæməθɪst]
How to pronounce amethyst in American English:
US [ˈæməθɪst]
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- Noun:
- a transparent purple variety of quartz; used as a gemstone
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- Adjective:
- of a moderate purple color
Word Origin
- amethyst
- amethyst: [13] The amethyst gets its name from a supposition in the ancient world that it was capable of preventing drunkenness. The Greek word for ‘intoxicate’ was methúskein, which was based ultimately on the noun methú ‘wine’ (source of English methyl, and related to English mead). The addition of the negative prefix a- ‘not’ produced the adjective améthustos, used in the phrase líthos améthustos ‘anti-intoxicant stone’. This was borrowed as a noun into Latin (amethystus), and ultimately into Old French as ametiste. English took it over and in the 16th century re-introduced the -th- spelling of the Latin word.=> mead, methyl
- 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.
Example
- 1. In the third row a jacinth , an agate and an amethyst ;
- 2. Her own amethyst eyes , pearl skin , ruby lips , would disappear .
- 3. The third , a jacinth , an agate , and an amethyst ;
- 4. And throughout there was a juxtaposition of velvet in jewel colors of garnet , amethyst and emerald .
- 5. At the desolate town of choyr , little boys ran furiously alongside the slowing train in the hope that we would be tempted to buy lumps of jade and amethyst , or paintings of mongolian warriors on horseback .