chatoyant

American  

[shuh-toi-uhnt] / ʃəˈtɔɪ ənt /

adjective

1. changing in luster or color.

   chatoyant silk.

2. Jewelry. reflecting a single streak of light when cut in a cabochon.

---

noun

1. Jewelry. a cabochon-cut gemstone having this reflected streak, as a chrysoberyl cat's eye.

chatoyant British  

/ ʃəˈtɔɪənt /

adjective

1. having changeable lustre; twinkling

2. (of a gem, esp a cabochon) displaying a band of light reflected off inclusions of other minerals

---

noun

1. a gemstone with a changeable lustre, such as a cat's eye

Other Word Forms

• chatoyance
  noun
• chatoyancy
  noun

Etymology

Origin of chatoyant

First recorded in 1790–1800; from French, present participle of chatoyer “to change luster like a cat's eye,” derivative of chat “cat”; cf. cat ( def. )

Example Sentences

Chatoyant, shat-oi′ant, adj. with a changing lustre, like a cat's eye in the dark.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

Related Words

• bright
• gleaming
• glistening
• lustrous
• polished
• silky
• sleek
• slick