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amethyst Definition

am·ethyst (am′i t̸hist)

noun

  1. a purple or violet variety of quartz, used in jewelry
  2. popularly a purple variety of corundum, used in jewelry
  3. purple or violet

Etymology: ME ametist < OFr ametiste < L amethystus < Gr amethystos, not drunken (the Greeks believed that the amethyst prevented intoxication) < a-, not + methystos, drunken < methyein, to be drunken < methy, strong drink < IE *medhu-, honey, mead

amethyst Related Forms
am′·ethys′·tine (-t̸his′tin, -tēn′) adjective
amethyst Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • include: They do include some beautiful purple amethysts and most of the glass beads are a single color, usually red, orange or blue.
  • contain: Made of gold and three feet in length, it also contains an enormous amethyst and a superb emerald.
  • set: Silver ring with three amethysts set in red gold.

Adjective modifier

  • purple: This brown striated coal glows with fissures of opal, brilliant insights of purple amethyst.
  • dark: The necklace has a mixture of stones in pale and dark amethyst with freshwater peacock pearls.

Modifies a noun

  • crystal: I have purchased some amethyst crystals which I wear on my body.
  • pendant: Our picture does not do this gorgeous amethyst pendant with a heavy silver setting justice!
  • necklace: Amethyst necklace This is on a necklace on a larger scale.
  • silk: He wears a vest of amethyst silk around an outfit that is otherwise a uniform black.
  • light: Lines of deep amethyst light, virulent in their intensity, traced across the floor to form a circled five-pointed star around him.
  • ball: If you think that you may lack concentration at any time, you could carry this amethyst crystal ball in your pocket or handbag.

Noun used with modifier

  • round: Includes one pear-shaped sky blue topaz, one round amethyst, .. .
amethyst Quotes

The rubyand amethyst eyes of anemones Glow through me, fiercer than stars.

—Brasch, Charles

Full on this casement shone the wintry moon, And threw warm gules on Madeleine's fair breast, As down she knelt for heaven's grace and boon; Rose-bloom fell on her hands, together prest, And on her silver cross soft amethyst, And on her hair a glory like a saint: She seemed a splendid angel, newly drest, Save wings, for heaven.

—Keats,John