Agates

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of mineral characterized by its banded appearance and often used as a gemstone in jewelry or decorative items
2. A variegated form of silica, typically found in volcanic rocks, known for its unique colors and patterns, often prized for ornamental use
3. A form of chalcedony featuring distinctive layered designs, commonly cut and polished for aesthetic purposes in art and craftsmanship

Etymology: "Agates" is simply the plural of "agate," so the story belongs to the singular. The stone's name comes from Ancient Greek "akhátēs," which is traditionally linked to the Achates River in Sicily, now the Dirillo, where such stones were supposedly found. That river connection is a common account rather than something the etymological record firmly establishes, so treat it as a tradition. The Greek word passed into Latin as "achatēs," then into Middle French as "agathe." English took the word in the Middle Ages, and the spelling settled into the form we use now. Like many Greek-derived terms for minerals and gems, it came to English through the vocabulary of learned writers and jewellers rather than everyday speech.

Synonyms: gemstones, jewels