amethyst

amethyst adj

OFr < L. < Gk a, not + mithu, wine = 'not drunken'; NW says: “from some supposed quality in the stone of resisting intoxication … from its color approaching that of wine, but not reaching it.”

  1. Violet-colored; clear crystalline purple; [fig.] cherished; dear; noble; precious; valuable.

amethyst n

see amethyst, adj.

  1. Purple-colored light; blue-violet colored light at sunrise or sunset; [NW says: a color in heraldry for a nobleman, gentleman, or prince's escutcheon.]