am·e·thyst ( m  -th st)n. 1. A purple or violet form of transparent quartz used as a gemstone. 2. A purple variety of corundum used as a gemstone. 3. A moderate purple to grayish reddish purple. [Middle English amatist, from Old French, from Latin amethystus, from Greek amethustos, not drunk or intoxicating, remedy for intoxication, amethyst : a-, not; see a-1 + *methuskein, to intoxicate (from methuein, to be drunk, from methu, wine; see medhu- in Indo-European roots).] am  e·thystine (-thstn, -t n) adj. |
amethyst [ˈæmɪθɪst]
n
1. (Earth Sciences / Minerals) a purple or violet transparent variety of quartz used as a gemstone. Formula: SiO2
2. (Earth Sciences / Minerals) a purple variety of sapphire; oriental amethyst
3. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Colours) the purple colour of amethyst
[from Old French amatiste, from Latin amethystus, from Greek amethustos, literally: not drunken, from a-1 + methuein to make drunk; referring to the belief that the stone could prevent intoxication]
amethystine [ˌæmɪˈθɪstaɪn] adj
| amethyst (m-thst) A purple or violet, transparent form of quartz used as a gemstone. The color is caused by the presence of iron compounds in the crystal structure. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  amethyst - a transparent purple variety of quartz; used as a gemstonequartz - a hard glossy mineral consisting of silicon dioxide in crystal form; present in most rocks (especially sandstone and granite); yellow sand is quartz with iron oxide impurities transparent gem - a gemstone having the property of transmitting light without serious diffusion |
| Adj. | 1. |  amethyst - of a moderate purple color chromatic - being or having or characterized by hue |
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