am´e|thyst|like´

am|e|thyst «AM uh thihst», noun, adjective.

–n.

1. a purple or violet variety of quartz, used for jewelry.

2. a rare violet-colored variety of corundum or sapphire, used for jewelry; oriental amethyst.

3. a purplish or violet color.

–adj.

purple or violet.

╂[< Old French ametis, learned borrowing from Latin amethystus < Greek améthystos the amethyst, (thought to be) a preventive of intoxication < a- not + méthy wine]

–am´e|thyst|like´, adjective.