amethyst

Meaning

Noun

1. A transparent purple to violet variety of quartz with traces of manganese, used as a gemstone.
2. (uncountable) A purple colour.
3. The tincture purpure, when blazoning by precious stones.

Adj

Having a colour similar to that of the gemstone

Synonyms

mercury

purpure

amethystum

Translations

améthyste

amatista

Amethyst

ametista

ametista

amethystus

αμέθυστος

ametista

amethist

ametist

ametista

amethyst

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈæm.ə.θɪst/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: ametist

Cognate with French: améthyste

In summary

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.