amethyst

[ am-uh-thist ]

noun

1. a purple or violet quartz, used as a gem.
2. a purplish tint.

adjective

1. having the color of amethyst.
2. containing or set with an amethyst or amethysts:

   an amethyst brooch.

amethyst

/ ˈæmɪθɪst; ˌæmɪˈθɪstaɪn /

noun

1. a purple or violet transparent variety of quartz used as a gemstone. Formula: SiO 2
2. a purple variety of sapphire; oriental amethyst
3. the purple colour of amethyst

amethyst

/ ăm′ə-thĭst /

1. 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.

Derived Forms

• amethystine, adjective

Other Words From

• am·e·thys·tine [am-, uh, -, this, -tin, -tahyn], adjective
• ame·thyst·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of amethyst¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Latin amethystus, from Greek améthystos “not intoxicating, not intoxicated” (so called from a belief that it prevented drunkenness), equivalent to a- a- ⁶ + methys- (variant stem of methýein “to intoxicate”; methylene ) + -tos, adjective suffix; replacing Middle English ametist, from Anglo-French, ametiste, from Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of amethyst¹

C13: 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

Example Sentences

“So your sun sign is Aquarius, and your ascendant is Taurus, which is homebody-ish-ness. You like beautiful, lovely things like objects and clothes and textures,” he says, with more authority than a mystic with a neon sign and hunk of amethyst in their window on La Cienega.

From Los Angeles Times

Occasionally they’re interrupted by bursts of jewel-tone color — ruby, emerald, sapphire, amethyst.

From Los Angeles Times

The shade of the jacket is an oft-underrated neutral, pairing nicely with virtually any other piece in your suitcase, maybe even amethyst or royal blue too.

From Los Angeles Times

One was an amethyst gem depicting a Cupid - the Roman god of love - riding a dolphin, which Mr Birbiglia bought for £42 in May 2016.

From BBC

The shade of the jacket is an oft-underrated neutral, pairing nicely with virtually any other piece in your suitcase, maybe even amethyst or royal blue too.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• color
• lavender
• lilac
• mauve
• periwinkle
• plum
• violet