chatoyant

[ shuh-toi-uhnt ]

adjective

1. changing in luster or color:

   chatoyant silk.

2. Jewelry. reflecting a single streak of light when cut in a cabochon.

noun

1. Jewelry. a cabochon-cut gemstone having this reflected streak, as a chrysoberyl cat's eye.

chatoyant

/ ʃəˈtɔɪənt /

adjective

1. having changeable lustre; twinkling
2. (of a gem, esp a cabochon) displaying a band of light reflected off inclusions of other minerals

noun

1. a gemstone with a changeable lustre, such as a cat's eye

Derived Forms

• chaˈtoyancy, noun

Other Words From

• cha·toyance cha·toyan·cy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chatoyant¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; from French, present participle of chatoyer “to change luster like a cat's eye,” derivative of chat “cat”; cat ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of chatoyant¹

C18: from French, from chatoyer to gleam like a cat's eyes, from chat cat ¹

Example Sentences

Shot, shot, adj. having a changeable colour, chatoyant, as silk, alpaca, &c.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, as the hum of conversation mingled with the sound of Muriel’s low, soft laugh, reached her from the parlor, her chatoyant eyes kindled, and she hastily went in to join the merry circle.

From Project Gutenberg

The faint eery light that glowed in the stranger’s deep-set eyes was not the lambent flame seen in the chatoyant orbs of some night-prowling jungle beast.

From Project Gutenberg

The chatoyant eyes of the leopard stared back, a flicker of restlessness in their brilliant yellow deeps.

From Project Gutenberg

She was leaning on her elbows, her chin propped in her palms, and the light in her grey chatoyant eyes was wholly innocent and mischievous.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bright
• gleaming
• glistening
• lustrous
• polished
• silky
• sleek
• slick