amethyst

Meanings

Noun

• A transparent purple variety of quartz, used as a gemstone.
• A purple colour.
• The tincture purpure, when emblazoning the arms of the English nobility.

Adjective

• Having a colour similar to that of the gemstone

Origin

• From Middle English ametist, from Old French ametiste (French améthyste), from Ancient Greek ἀμέθυστος ("not drunk"), from ἀ- + μεθύω, from μέθυ. The Greeks believed that the amethyst prevented intoxication.