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.

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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

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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”; cat ( def. )

Example Sentences

The faint eery light that glowed in the stranger’s deep-set eyes was not the lambent flame seen in the chatoyant orbs of some night-prowling jungle beast.

From Astounding Stories of Super-Science January 1931 by Various

But one of the prettiest though commonest gems in the island is the "Moon-stone," a variety of pearly adularia presenting chatoyant rays when simply polished.

From Ceylon; an Account of the Island Physical, Historical, and Topographical with Notices of Its Natural History, Antiquities and Productions, Volume 1 by Tennent, James Emerson, Sir

She was leaning on her elbows, her chin propped in her palms, and the light in her grey chatoyant eyes was wholly innocent and mischievous.

From Hearts and Masks by MacGrath, Harold

Shot, shot, adj. having a changeable colour, chatoyant, as silk, alpaca, &c.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

The chatoyant eyes of the leopard stared back, a flicker of restlessness in their brilliant yellow deeps.

From The Adventures of Kathlyn by MacGrath, Harold

Related Words

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