Advertisement
Advertisement
agate
[ ag-it ]
noun
- a variegated chalcedony showing curved, colored bands or other markings.
- a playing marble made of this substance, or of glass in imitation of it.
- Printing. a 5½-point type of a size between pearl and nonpareil. Compare ruby ( def 6 ).
Agate
1/ ˈæɡɪ /
noun
- AgateJames (Evershed)18771947MBritishTHEATRE: theatre criticWRITING: diarist James ( Evershed ). 1877–1947, British theatre critic; drama critic for The Sunday Times (1923–47) and author of a nine-volume diary Ego (1935–49)
agate
2/ ˈæɡɪ /
noun
- an impure microcrystalline form of quartz consisting of a variegated, usually banded chalcedony, used as a gemstone and in making pestles and mortars, burnishers, and polishers. Formula: SiO 2
- a playing marble of this quartz or resembling it
- Also calledruby printing (formerly) a size of printer's type approximately equal to 5 1 2 point
agate
3/ əˈɡɪ /
adverb
- dialect.on the way
agate
/ ă′ĭ /
- A type of very fine-grained quartz found in various colors that are arranged in bands or in cloudy patterns. The bands form when water rich with silica enters empty spaces in rock, after which the silica comes out of solution and forms crystals, gradually filling the spaces from the outside inward. The different colors are the result of various impurities in the water.
Other 51Թ Forms
- aٱ· a·ٴǾ adjective
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of agate1
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of agate1
Origin of agate2
Example Sentences
A.J. had seen his father become obsessive before — about hunting for agate rocks or buying antique furniture — but now he was studying voter turnout data and the intricacies of the 12th Amendment.
Each Rock Box includes a curated selection of high-quality crystals, rough rock, agates, geodes, gem collectibles and more.
When I first worked with her at the AP bureau in her hometown of Philadelphia in 1981, our office handled the agate — the goal scorers, penalties, shots — for the Hershey Bears minor league hockey team.
They came up with a wallcovering collection full of leopard prints, swirling sea agate patterns, and golden Victorian keys and dressmaking scissors.
“Now I have it. It’s a piece of agate from the Cady Mountains.”
Advertisement
Related 51Թs
More About Agate
What is agate?
Agate is a variety of the mineral chalcedony (a type of quartz), specifically one with bands or stripes or other markings. It is often considered a gemstone.
It can occur in a wide variety of colors, including white, yellow, red, and black.
The key quality of agate is its banding, which is crystal that has formed in the rock.
Agate is considered a semiprecious stone, which is a label assigned to some stones that have a lesser value than those considered precious.
When used in jewelry, agate is often cut into a shape called a cabochon, which is polished but not cut into facets. When loose (not set in jewelry), they are often sold in the form of a geode or slab.
Several forms of chalcedony are considered agates if they contain banding, including the gemstones onyx and sardonyx. Specific kinds of agate are named for their colors and patterns. For example, moss agate features a green pattern that resembles moss.
Agate is one of the traditional birthstones for the months of May and June. It is associated with the zodiac sign Gemini.
Example: I bought a beautiful yellow agate geode at the rock and crystal shop.
Where does agate come from?
The first records of the word agate come from the 1100s. It comes from French, from the Latin ŧ, from the Greek ŧ.
Agate is a variety of chalcedony with the same physical qualities as fine-grained silica quartz. Its bands are formed when silica-rich water fills empty spaces within the rock. The silica then forms crystals and gradually fills the space from the outside inward. The different colors are the result of various impurities in the water.
Did you know … ?
What are some other forms related to agate?
- agatelike (adjective)
- agatoid (adjective)
What are some words that share a root or word element with agate?
What are some words that often get used in discussing agate?
How is agate used in real life?
Agate is used in jewelry but is also collected as a mineral, including among crystal collectors.
Bought a couple more nice polished Agate slabs to add to my collection 😍😁
— 𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓴 💎😀 (@mbcrystal1)
can't stop thinking about agate geodes making faces
— Allergic to my own Swag (@coherentstates)
Did you know we can set your own stone? Trina got this Agate cabochon in Florida and brought it to the Gresham Farmers Market to have Alan turn it into a ring for her 👍
— Sandy River Jewelry (@SandyRiverJewel)
Try using agate!
True or False?
The bands in agate are formed from crystals.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse