chatoyant
Americanadjective
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changing in luster or color.
chatoyant silk.
-
Jewelry. reflecting a single streak of light when cut in a cabochon.
noun
adjective
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having changeable lustre; twinkling
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(of a gem, esp a cabochon) displaying a band of light reflected off inclusions of other minerals
noun
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
He shook himself free and stood straight, his jaws hard and his eyes, absorbing what light there was from the stars, chatoyant.
From A Splendid Hazard by Harold MacGrath
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
Cymophane, or chatoyant chrysoberyl, may also be asteriated.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7 "Arundel, Thomas" to "Athens" by Various
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 Harold MacGrath
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