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.”
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web That jagged slice of amethyst gifted to me by an ex. 
Stephanie Shih, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2022 The Time Stone is an emerald, the Space Stone is a sapphire, the Reality Stone is a ruby, the Power Stone is an amethyst, the Soul Stone is spessartite, and the Mind Stone is a yellow diamond. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 22 July 2022 This jewel is an oval-shaped, natural amethyst of more than 35 carats. Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2022 Outside, a lurid amethyst haze blankets the city, casting a purplish hue over everything and requiring anyone who leaves home to wear a mask. The New Yorker, 29 June 2022 The piece was silver and featured a purple amethyst atop the thistle. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 28 June 2022 Made in 1661, the golden globe is surrounded by a cross set with emeralds, diamonds, rubies, pearls and sapphires, and a large amethyst on top. Jill Newman, Town & Country, 19 June 2022 Be sure to head over to the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals to see an array of spectacles, including an 850-pound amethyst and roam through the museum's habitats to spot Texas wildlife. Robin Soslow, Chron, 20 May 2022 An amethyst taffeta tunic was topped by an aquamarine band at the chest and cut through by wet-suit zips. New York Times, 8 June 2022 See More
Stephanie Shih, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2022 The Time Stone is an emerald, the Space Stone is a sapphire, the Reality Stone is a ruby, the Power Stone is an amethyst, the Soul Stone is spessartite, and the Mind Stone is a yellow diamond. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 22 July 2022 This jewel is an oval-shaped, natural amethyst of more than 35 carats. Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2022 Outside, a lurid amethyst haze blankets the city, casting a purplish hue over everything and requiring anyone who leaves home to wear a mask. The New Yorker, 29 June 2022 The piece was silver and featured a purple amethyst atop the thistle. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 28 June 2022 Made in 1661, the golden globe is surrounded by a cross set with emeralds, diamonds, rubies, pearls and sapphires, and a large amethyst on top. Jill Newman, Town & Country, 19 June 2022 Be sure to head over to the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals to see an array of spectacles, including an 850-pound amethyst and roam through the museum's habitats to spot Texas wildlife. Robin Soslow, Chron, 20 May 2022 An amethyst taffeta tunic was topped by an aquamarine band at the chest and cut through by wet-suit zips. New York Times, 8 June 2022 See More 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 ˈa-mə-thəst
: a clear purple or bluish violet quartz used as a gem
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