| amethyst | 1. <chemical> A variety of crystallized quartz, of a purple or bluish violet colour, of different shades. It is much used as a jeweler's stone. Oriental amethyst, the violet-blue variety of transparent crystallized corundum or sapphire. 2. A purple colour in a nobleman's escutcheon, or coat of arms. Origin: F. Ametiste, amatiste, F. Amethyste, L. Amethystus, fr. Gr. Without drunkenness; as a noun, a remedy for drunkenness, the amethyst, supposed to have this power; priv. + to be drunken, strong drink, wine. See Mead. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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