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Webster 1913 Edition

Topaz

To′paz

,
Noun.
[OE.
topas
, F.
topaze
, L.
topazos
, or
topazion
, a kind of precious stone, Gr.
τόπαζος
,
τοπάζιον
; possibly akin to Skr.
tap
to glow (cf.
Tepid
). According to some, the name is from
Topazos
, a small island in the Red Sea, where the Romans obtained a stone which they called by this name, but which is the chrysolite of the moderns.]
1.
(Min.)
A mineral occurring in rhombic prisms, generally yellowish and pellucid, also colorless, and of greenesh, bluish, or brownish shades. It sometimes occurs massive and opaque. It is a fluosilicate of alumina, and is used as a gem.
2.
(Zool.)
Either one of two species of large, brilliantly colored humming birds of the genus
Topaza
(
Topaza pella
or
Topaza pyra
), of South America and the West Indies.
☞ The two tail feathers next to the central ones are much longer that the rest, curved, and crossed. The Throat is metallic yellowish-green, with a tint like topaz in the center, the belly is bright crimson, the back bright red. Called also
topaz hummer
.
False topaz
.
(Min.)
See the Note under
Quartz
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Topaz

TO'PAZ

,
Noun.
[Gr.] A mineral, said to be so called from Topazos, a small isle in the Arabic gulf, where the Romans obtained a stone which they called by this name, but which is the chrysolite of the moderns. The topaz is of a yellowish color. It sometimes occurs in masses, but more generally crystallized in rectangular octahedrons. Topaz is valued as a gem or precious stone, and is used in jewelry. It consists of silex, fluoric acid and alumin, in the following proportions; alumin 57 parts, silex 34, and fluoric acid 7 or 8.
Of topaz there are three subspecies, common topaz, shorlite and physalite.

Definition 2024

Topaz

Topaz

See also: topaz

English

Proper noun

Topaz

  1. (rare) A female given name

topaz

topaz

See also: Topaz

English

the mineral topaz
Facet cut topaz gemstones in various colors

Noun

topaz ‎(usually uncountable, plural topazes)

  1. a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine, usually tinted by impurities
  2. An often clear, yellowish-brown gemstone cut therefrom.
    • 2012 March 1, Lee A. Groat, “Gemstones”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 128:
      Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are diamond, ruby and sapphire, emerald and other gem forms of the mineral beryl, chrysoberyl, tanzanite, tsavorite, topaz and jade.
  3. A yellowish-brown color, like that of the gemstone.
    topaz colour:    
  4. (historical, British India) A black Catholic soldier in the British Army.

Translations

Adjective

topaz

  1. Of a yellowish-brown color, like that of the gemstone.

Translations

Derived terms

See also

Czech

Noun

topaz m

  1. topaz (clear, yellowish-brown gemstone)

Polish

Noun

topaz m inan

  1. topaz (gem)

Declension

Derived terms

Serbo-Croatian

Noun

topaz f ‎(Cyrillic spelling топаз)

  1. topaz (gemstone)

Etymology

From Old French topace (compare French topaze), from the Ancient Greek proper noun Τοπάζιος ‎(Topázios), ancient name of St. John's Island, Egypt, in the Red Sea, believed to be the first discovered source of the mineral τοπάζιον ‎(topázion, “peridot”).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈtəʊpæz/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈtoʊpæz/

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