agate
- noun
- /ˈæɡɪt/
- The next large vitrine houses a collection of jewelry with four showy pieces in gold, silver, ivory, and agate, demonstrating the skill of Somalian artists.
Examples
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As these samples were seeds, before analysis they were ground using an agate mortar and pestle.
Academic text (2016) -
A long necklace of gold beads and polished agate fell across her breasts, sparkling in the sunlight.
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Thinking of Julian, I wondered what powers agate might have for my well-being.
Fiction book (1990) -
Replacing the agate in his pocket, he carefully pulled his hood back on.
Fiction book (1992) -
I have a very beautiful Fairburn Agate, which is multiple layers.
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Her strokes are quick and sure, and she uses a curious instrument with an agate head to make the gold shine.
Fiction book (1995) -
His eyes were dark as agates and shone with the morning light.
Fiction book (1994) -
This is an unusually large and fine example cut into Agate, which shows Constantine in a triumphal chariot with his mother, his wife, and his oldest son.
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I held my own agate up to the light of the car window, admiring its beautiful bands.
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Rock hounds love to scour the beaches for agate stones, which are known for their unique patterns.
Synonyms
A small banded stone often used for jewelry
Compounds
- Archaic
A unit used to measure newspaper ad space equal to one printed line in a column
How Clear
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word agate comes from the old name Achates, a river in Sicily where people first found this stone. The stone often has clear 'bands' or stripes, so agate is easy to remember as a banded gemstone used in jewelry and for making tools.