chalcedony

[ kal-sed-n-ee, kal-suh-doh-nee ]

/ kælˈsɛd n i, ˈkæl səˌdoʊ ni /

Save This Word!

noun, plural chal·ced·o·nies.

a microcrystalline, translucent variety of quartz, often milky or grayish.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of chalcedony

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English calcedonie, from Late Latin chalcēdōnius (Vulgate, Revelation 21:19), equivalent to chalcēdōn- (from Greek chalkēdṓn “chalcedony,” identified by Saint Jerome with Chalcedon, the city) + -ius adjective suffix; see -ious

OTHER WORDS FROM chalcedony

chal·ce·don·ic

[kal-si-don-ik], /ˌkæl sɪˈdɒn ɪk/, chal·ced·o·nous, adjective

Words nearby chalcedony

Chal., chalaza, chalazion, chalcanthite, Chalcedon, chalcedony, chalcid, chalcidfly, Chalcidice, chalcidicum, Chalcis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use chalcedony in a sentence

Chalcedony, apparently from amygdaloid of the trap formation, was also found at Port Warrender.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2]|Phillip Parker King
Quartz crystals, with chalcedony, from nodules in amygdaloid.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2]|Phillip Parker King
Red, somewhat slaty jasper, mixed with quartz and chalcedony, and containing specular iron ore.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2]|Phillip Parker King
Hard sandstone, trap or graacke, jasper and chalcedony, appear occasionally; some almost transparent.
The Indian in his Wigwam|Henry R. Schoolcraft

A chalcedony made the wearer lucky at law, increased the vigour of one's body, and prevented illusions of the devil.
The Mysteries of All Nations|James Grant

British Dictionary definitions for chalcedony

chalcedony

/ (kælˈsɛdənɪ) /

noun plural -nies

a microcrystalline often greyish form of quartz with crystals arranged in parallel fibres: a gemstone. Formula: SiO 2

Derived forms of chalcedony

chalcedonic (ˌkælsɪˈdɒnɪk), adjective

Word Origin for chalcedony

C15: from Late Latin chalcēdōnius, from Greek khalkēdōn a precious stone (Revelation 21:19), perhaps named after Khalkēdōn Chalcedon, town in Asia Minor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for chalcedony

chalcedony

[ kăl-sĕd′n-ē ]

A type of quartz that has a waxy luster and varies from transparent to translucent. It is usually white, pale-blue, gray, brown, or black and is often found as a lining in cavities. Agate, flint, and onyx are forms of chalcedony. Chemical formula: SiO2.