Chalcedony

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Chalcedony \Chal*ced"o*ny\ (k[a^]l*s[e^]d"[-o]*n[y^] or
     k[a^]l"s[-e]*d[-o]*n[y^]; 277), n.; pl. {Chalcedonies}
     (-n[i^]z). [ L. chalcedonius, fr. Gr. CHalkhdw`n Chalcedon, a
     town in Asia Minor, opposite to Byzantium: cf. calc['e]doine,
     OE. calcidoine, casidoyne. Cf. {Cassidony}.] (Min.)
     A cryptocrystalline, translucent variety of quartz, having


     usually a whitish color, and a luster nearly like wax.
     [Written also {calcedony}.]
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: When chalcedony is variegated with with spots or
           figures, or arranged in differently colored layers, it
           is called {agate}; and if by reason of the thickness,
           color, and arrangement of the layers it is suitable for
           being carved into cameos, it is called {onyx}.
           {Chrysoprase} is green chalcedony; {carnelian}, a flesh
           red, and {sard}, a brownish red variety.
           [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  chalcedony
       n : a milky or grayish translucent to transparent quartz [syn: {calcedony}]

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Chalcedony
     Mentioned only in Rev. 21:19, as one of the precious stones in
     the foundation of the New Jerusalem. The name of this stone is
     derived from Chalcedon, where it is said to have been first
     discovered. In modern mineralogy this is the name of an
     agate-like quartz of a bluish colour. Pliny so names the Indian
     ruby. The mineral intended in Revelation is probably the Hebrew
     _nophekh_, translated "emerald" (Ex. 28:18; 39:11; Ezek. 27:16;
     28:13). It is rendered "anthrax" in the LXX., and "carbunculus"
     in the Vulgate. (See {CARBUNCLE}.)