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ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Agate

/ˈæɡ.ɪt/ · noun

Meaning

(countable, uncountable, mineralogy) A semitransparent, uncrystallized silicate mineral and semiprecious stone, presenting various tints in the same specimen, with colors delicately arranged and often curved in parallel alternating dark and light stripes or bands, or blended in clouds; various authorities call it a variety of chalcedony, a variety of quartz, or a combination of the two..

Definitions by Sense

  1. (countable, uncountable, mineralogy) A semitransparent, uncrystallized silicate mineral and semiprecious stone, presenting various tints in the same specimen, with colors delicately arranged and often curved in parallel alternating dark and light stripes or bands, or blended in clouds; various authorities call it a variety of chalcedony, a variety of quartz, or a combination of the two.
  2. (uncountable, US printing, dated) The size of type between pearl and nonpareil, standardized as 5+¹⁄₂-point.
  3. (countable, typography) One fourteenth of an inch.
  4. (countable, obsolete) A diminutive person; so called in allusion to the small figures cut in agate for rings and seals.
  5. (countable) A tool used by gold-wire drawers, bookbinders, etc.;—so called from the agate fixed in it for burnishing.
  6. (countable) A marble made from agate.
  7. (slang, usually in the plural) A testicle.
  8. (obsolete) On the way; agoing.

Example Sentences

The ends of the veil, drawn over her head, were embroidered with silver; she had long gold ear-rings; to a rich and large gold chain was suspended a cross set with precious stones; and over the arm of her chair hung a rosary of agate beads.
Yes: living among the cohabations^([sic]) of Faust himself, among the litharge and agate and hyacinth and pearls.
Go to it then hardily, and let us be agate.
I'm fear'd you have some ill plans agate.

Synonyms for agate

rubyaggie

Antonyms for agate

Related Words

chalcedonyonyxmarbleshooteraggatargentinechalcedonyxalabasteraggiecalcedonyaquaprasegarnetagaliteagatewareamygdaloidgemstoneeyestonesmaragditeantigoriteasterism

Word Forms

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does agate mean?

Agate means (countable, uncountable, mineralogy) A semitransparent, uncrystallized silicate mineral and semiprecious stone, presenting various tints in the same specimen, with colors delicately arranged and often curved in parallel alternating dark and light stripes or bands, or blended in clouds; various authorities call it a variety of chalcedony, a variety of quartz, or a combination of the two..

What is a synonym for agate?

Common synonyms include ruby, aggie.

What is the opposite of agate?

The opposite depends on the specific sense.

How do you use agate in a sentence?

The ends of the veil, drawn over her head, were embroidered with silver; she had long gold ear-rings; to a rich and large gold chain was suspended a cross set with precious stones; and over the arm of her chair hung a rosary of agate beads.

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.