agate

[ ag-it ]

noun

1. a variegated chalcedony showing curved, colored bands or other markings.
2. a playing marble made of this substance, or of glass in imitation of it.
3. Printing. a 5½-point type of a size between pearl and nonpareil. Compare ruby ( def 6 ).

Agate

¹

/ ˈæɡeɪt /

noun

1. AgateJames (Evershed)18771947MBritishTHEATRE: theatre criticWRITING: diarist James ( Evershed ). 1877–1947, British theatre critic; drama critic for The Sunday Times (1923–47) and author of a nine-volume diary Ego (1935–49)

agate

²

/ ˈæɡɪt /

noun

1. an impure microcrystalline form of quartz consisting of a variegated, usually banded chalcedony, used as a gemstone and in making pestles and mortars, burnishers, and polishers. Formula: SiO 2
2. a playing marble of this quartz or resembling it
3. Also calledruby printing (formerly) a size of printer's type approximately equal to 5 1 2 point

agate

³

/ əˈɡeɪt /

adverb

1. dialect.
   on the way

agate

/ ăg′ĭt /

1. A type of very fine-grained quartz found in various colors that are arranged in bands or in cloudy patterns. The bands form when water rich with silica enters empty spaces in rock, after which the silica comes out of solution and forms crystals, gradually filling the spaces from the outside inward. The different colors are the result of various impurities in the water.

Other Words From

• agate·like aga·toid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of agate¹

1150–1200; Middle English ac ( c ) ate, achate, agaten (compare Dutch agaat, Old Saxon agāt, Old High German agat ), apparently < Old French agathe or Italian agata (initial stress) ≪ Medieval Latin achātēs < Greek achā́tēs

Word History and Origins

Origin of agate¹

C16: via French from Latin achātēs, from Greek akhatēs

Origin of agate²

C16: a-² + gate³

Example Sentences

The historian Pliny the Elder describes owning agate cups as a sign of wealth and luxury.

From The Daily Beast

By contrast this cup is made of gold, onyx, precious stones, and the stone agate.

From The Daily Beast

Agate was widely used to carve high-value objects like signets and cylinder seals in the ancient Near East.

From The Daily Beast

While agate could likely be acquired much more cheaply, aristocratic Romans were serious about their agate.

From The Daily Beast

And, like Teddy, I was approached by Agate to do business with him.

From The Daily Beast

There are gold, silver, agate and crystal vases, silver tables and gold plate of every description.

From Project Gutenberg

We managed, however, to pick up some interesting Chinese snuff bottles of carved agate, some with pictures painted inside.

From Project Gutenberg

An axe poised upon a stake, or an agate on a red-hot axe, was supposed by its movement to indicate the offender.

From Project Gutenberg

At the far end was a raised dais with a mammoth statue of a kneeling woman, sculptured of the same effulgent, agate material.

From Project Gutenberg

Then there were horns of ivory and ebony; emeralds, purple and broidered work, fine linen, coral and agate.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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More About Agate

What is agate?

Agate is a variety of the mineral chalcedony (a type of quartz), specifically one with bands or stripes or other markings. It is often considered a gemstone.

It can occur in a wide variety of colors, including white, yellow, red, and black.

The key quality of agate is its banding, which is crystal that has formed in the rock.

Agate is considered a semiprecious stone, which is a label assigned to some stones that have a lesser value than those considered precious.

When used in jewelry, agate is often cut into a shape called a cabochon, which is polished but not cut into facets. When loose (not set in jewelry), they are often sold in the form of a geode or slab.

Several forms of chalcedony are considered agates if they contain banding, including the gemstones onyx and sardonyx. Specific kinds of agate are named for their colors and patterns. For example, moss agate features a green pattern that resembles moss.

Agate is one of the traditional birthstones for the months of May and June. It is associated with the zodiac sign Gemini.

Example: I bought a beautiful yellow agate geode at the rock and crystal shop.

Where does agate come from?

The first records of the word agate come from the 1100s. It comes from French, from the Latin achātēs, from the Greek akhatēs.

Agate is a variety of chalcedony with the same physical qualities as fine-grained silica quartz. Its bands are formed when silica-rich water fills empty spaces within the rock. The silica then forms crystals and gradually fills the space from the outside inward. The different colors are the result of various impurities in the water.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to agate?

• agatelike (adjective)
• agatoid (adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with agate? 

• agatize

What are some words that often get used in discussing agate?

• chalcedony
• quartz
• banded
• gemstone
• gem
• mineral
• stone
• semiprecious
• geode

How is agate used in real life?

Agate is used in jewelry but is also collected as a mineral, including among crystal collectors.

Bought a couple more nice polished Agate slabs to add to my collection 😍😁 pic.twitter.com/MKuRce1Rnh

— 𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓴 💎😀 (@mbcrystal1) March 7, 2020

can't stop thinking about agate geodes making faces pic.twitter.com/HJ7ALTIfy5

— Allergic to my own Swag (@coherentstates) January 27, 2021

Did you know we can set your own stone? Trina got this Agate cabochon in Florida and brought it to the Gresham Farmers Market to have Alan turn it into a ring for her 👍 pic.twitter.com/eslfFmSg1s

— Sandy River Jewelry (@SandyRiverJewel) May 17, 2021

Try using agate!

True or False? 

The bands in agate are formed from crystals.