TOPAZ

tan, topaz

(noun) a light brown the color of topaz

topaz

(noun) a mineral (fluosilicate of aluminum) that occurs in crystals of various colors and is used as a gemstone

topaz, false topaz, common topaz

(noun) a yellow quartz

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

topaz (usually uncountable, plural topazes)

A silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine, usually tinted by impurities.

An often clear, yellowish-brown gemstone cut from this.

A yellowish-brown color, like that of the gemstone.

(historical, British India) A black Catholic soldier in the British Army.

Adjective

topaz

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

Etymology

Proper noun

Topaz

(rare) A female given name

A census-designated place in Mono County, California, United States.

Source: Wiktionary


To"paz, n. Etym: [OE. topas, F. topaze, L. topazos, or topazion, a kind of precious stone, Gr. to`pazos, topa`zion; 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.)

Definition: 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. (Zoöl.)

Definition: Either one of two species of large, brilliantly colored humming birds of the Topaza, of South America and the West Indies.

Note: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

2 April 2025

COVERT

(adjective) secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; “covert actions by the CIA”; “covert funding for the rebels”


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Coffee Trivia

International Coffee Day (September 29) is an occasion to promote and celebrate coffee as a beverage, with events occurring in places across the world. A day to promote fair trade coffee and raise awareness for the coffee growers’ plight. Other countries celebrate this event on October 1.

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