[on-iks, oh-niks] 
| 1. | Mineralogy. a variety of chalcedony having straight parallel bands of alternating colors. Compare Mexican onyx. |
| 2. | (not used technically) an unbanded chalcedony dyed for ornamental purposes. |
| 3. | black, esp. a pure or jet black. |
| 4. | Medicine/Medical. a nail of a finger or toe. |
| 5. | black, esp. jet black. |
| on·yx (ŏn'ĭks) n. A chalcedony that occurs in bands of different colors and is used as a gemstone, especially in cameos and intaglios. [Middle English onix, from Old French, from Latin onyx, from Greek onux, nail, onyx; see nogh- in Indo-European roots.] |
onyx on·yx (ŏn'ĭks)
n.
See unguis.
A collection of pus in the anterior chamber of the eye.
Onyx
a hail; claw; hoof, (Heb. shoham), a precious stone adorning the breast-plate of the high priest and the shoulders of the ephod (Ex. 28:9-12, 20; 35:27; Job 28:16; Ezek. 28:13). It was found in the land of Havilah (Gen. 2:12). The LXX. translates the Hebrew word by smaragdos, an emerald. Some think that the sardonyx is meant. But the onyx differs from the sardonyx in this, that while the latter has two layers (black and white) the former has three (black, white, and red).