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topaz

 - 5 dictionary results

to⋅paz

[toh-paz]
–noun
1. a mineral, a fluosilicate of aluminum, usually occurring in prismatic orthorhombic crystals of various colors, and used as a gem.
2. citrine (def. 2).
3. either of two South American hummingbirds, Topaza pella or T. pyra, having chiefly red and crimson plumage and a yellowish-green throat with a topaz sheen.

Origin:
1225–75; < L topazus < Gk tópazos; r. ME topace < OF < L, as above


to⋅paz⋅ine [toh-puh-zeen, -zin] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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to·paz   (tō'pāz')   
n.  
    1. A colorless, blue, yellow, brown, or pink aluminum silicate mineral, often found in association with granitic rocks and valued as a gemstone, especially in the brown and pink varieties.

    2. Any of various yellow gemstones, especially a yellow variety of sapphire or corundum.

  1. A light yellow variety of quartz.

  2. Either of two South American hummingbirds (Topaza pyra or T. pella) having colorful plumage.


[Middle English topace, from Old French, from Latin topazus, from Greek topazos.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

topaz 
colored crystalline gem, c.1272, from O.Fr. topace (11c.), from L. topazus, from Gk. topazos, topazion, of obscure origin. Pliny says it was named for an island in the Red or Arabian Sea, where it was mined; linguists conjecture a connection with Skt. tapas "heat, fire."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Science Dictionary
topaz   (tō'pāz')  Pronunciation Key 
  1. A colorless, blue, yellow, brown, or pink orthorhombic mineral valued as a gem. Topaz occurs as transparent or translucent prisms in silica-rich igneous rocks, such as pegmatite, and in tin-bearing rock veins. Chemical formula: Al2SiO4(F,OH)2.

  2. Any of various yellow gemstones, especially a yellow variety of sapphire or corundum.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Bible Dictionary

Topaz

Heb. pitdah (Ezek. 28:13; Rev. 21:20), a golden yellow or "green" stone brought from Cush or Ethiopia (Job 28:19). It was the second stone in the first row in the breastplate of the high priest, and had the name of Simeon inscribed on it (Ex. 28:17). It is probably the chrysolite of the moderns.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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