amethyst

noun

am·​e·​thyst ˈa-mə-thəst 

-(ˌ)thist

1

a

: a clear purple or bluish-violet variety of crystallized quartz that is often used as a jeweler's stone

b

: a deep purple variety of corundum

2

: a moderate purple

amethystine

ˌa-mə-ˈthi-stən 

adjective

Did you know?

Gems were once believed to have magical qualities. An amethyst, for example, was supposed to have the power to prevent or cure drunkenness in its wearer. For this reason the Greeks gave it the name amethystos, which comes from the prefix a-, meaning “not,” and methyein “to be drunk.”

Examples of amethyst in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most blankets have some heft to them—Higher Dose’s, embedded with a layer of negative-ion-emitting amethyst and tourmaline, plus all those clay and magnets, weighs about 20 pounds. —Jenny Berg, Allure, 27 Nov. 2024

Ancre de Santiago necklace in yellow gold, white gold, amethysts, chrysoprase, diamonds, and an 11.96-carat cushion-cut rubellite. —Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2024

The Greeks made ornaments from the stone, while Roman pontiffs wore jewelry made of citrine and amethyst, the Geological Institute of America reports. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024

Named for its previous owner, Naim Attallah, former group chief executive of Asprey & Garrard, the Palestinian-British businessman lent the amethyst and diamond piece to Diana throughout the 1980s. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English amatiste, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin amethystus, from Greek amethystos, literally, remedy against drunkenness, from a- + methyein to be drunk, from methy wine — more at mead

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

amethyst

noun

am·​e·​thyst ˈam-ə-thəst 

-(ˌ)thist

1

: a clear purple or bluish violet variety of crystallized quartz used as a gem

2

: a medium purple

Etymology

Middle English amatiste "amethyst," from early French amatiste and Latin amethystus (both with the same meaning), from Greek amethystos, literally "remedy against drunkenness," from a- "not" and methyein "to be drunk," from methy "wine"

Word Origin

Gems were once believed to have magical qualities. An amethyst, for example, was supposed to have the power to prevent or cure drunkenness in its wearer. For this reason the Greeks gave it the name amethystos, which comes from the prefix a-, meaning "not," and methyein "to be drunk."