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amethyst

Pronunciation: /ˈaməθɪst/
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Definition of amethyst

noun

  • a precious stone consisting of a violet or purple variety of quartz: a delicate necklace of amethysts and pearls [as modifier]:amethyst earrings
  • a violet or purple colour: [as modifier]:an amethyst dress

Derivatives

amethystine

Pronunciation: /-ˈθɪstiːn/
adjective

Origin:

Middle English: via Old French from Latin amethystus, from Greek amethustos 'not drunken' (because the stone was believed to prevent intoxication)

Spelling help

The ending of amethyst is spelled -yst.

amethyst in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of amethyst in the US English dictionary