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opal
(ō′pəl)
noun
an amorphous, iridescent mineral, SiO·n HO, of various colors, often used as a gem; hydrous silicon oxide
Origin: L opalus < Gr opallios < Sans úpalaḥ, (precious) stone
See opal in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A mineral of hydrated silica.
- A gemstone made of this mineral, noted for its rich iridescence.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English opalus
Origin: , from Latin
Origin: , alteration of Greek opallios
Origin: , probably from Sanskrit upalaḥ
Origin: , from variant of upara-, lower
Origin: , from upa, below; see upo in Indo-European roots
.Related Forms:
- oˈpal·ineˌ (ōˈpə-līnˌ, -lēnˌ) adjective
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