amethyst

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English ametist, from Old French ametiste (French améthyste), from Ancient Greek ἀμέθυστος (améthustos, “not drunk”), from ἀ- (a-, “not”) + μεθύω (methúō, “I am drunk”), from μέθυ (méthu, “wine”). The name was based on the ancient belief that amethyst gemstones could prevent intoxication. People in ancient Greece and Rome would wear amethyst or drink from cups made of amethyst to ward off the effects of alcohol. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈæm.ə.θɪst/ === Noun === amethyst (plural amethysts) A transparent purple to violet variety of quartz with traces of manganese, used as a gemstone. (uncountable) A purple colour. (heraldry) The tincture purpure, when blazoning by precious stones. 1906 (printed), The Beetham Repository, 1770 (eds. William Hutton, John Rawlinson Ford), page 115: 1st & 4th grand Quarter alike viz. Field Pearl, on a bend Sapphire 3 Buckheads, coup'd topaz for Stanley. The 2d Quarter, Field Sapphire with an inverted Chief, amethyst. The 3d, A Checque topaz & Amethyst, this seems prior to Bosworth field, to have belong'd to Sr Robt Goushill whose Dr a Stanley married [...] ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Adjective === amethyst (comparative more amethyst, superlative most amethyst) Having a colour similar to that of the gemstone ==== Translations ==== === See also === Appendix:Colors === Further reading === David Barthelmy (1997–2026), “Amethyst”, in Webmineral Mineralogy Database. “amethyst”, in Mindat.org‎[2], Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, 2000–2026. The Manual of Heraldry, Fifth Edition, by Anonymous, London, 1862, online at [3] == Welsh == === Etymology === From English amethyst. === Pronunciation === (North Wales) IPA(key): /ˈamɛθɨ̞sd/, [ˈamɛθɨ̞st] (South Wales) IPA(key): /ˈamɛθɪsd/, [ˈamɛθɪst] === Noun === amethyst m (plural amethystau) amethyst === Mutation === === Further reading === R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke, et al., editors (1950–present), “amethyst”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies