opal

(ōpəl)

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
  1. A mineral of hydrated silica.
  2. 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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