girasol

[jir-uh-sawl, -sol]

noun

an opal that reflects light in a bright luminous glow.
Jerusalem artichoke(def 1).

adjective

(of a stone) translucent and bluish-white with reddish reflections under strong light; opalescent.

Also gir·a·sole

[jir-uh-sohl] /ˈdʒɪr əˌsoʊl/, girosol.

Origin of girasol

1580–90; < Italian, equivalent to gira(re) to turn (see girandole) + sole the sun; cf. parasol

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for girasole

Historical Examples of girasole

It was a slight, and Girasole showed that he felt it; but Minnie could not help it.
The American Baron
James De Mille
All these things combined to stimulate the hate as well as the love of Girasole.
The American Baron
James De Mille
The arrival of Girasole, therefore, was greeted by her with joy.
The American Baron
James De Mille
The former he might consider a scoundrel; but why should Girasole mislead?
The American Baron
James De Mille
There was now some delay, and Girasole gave some orders to his men.
The American Baron
James De Mille

British Dictionary definitions for girasole

girasol

girosol or girasole

noun

a type of opal that has a red or pink glow in bright light; fire opal

Word Origin for girasol

C16: from Italian, from girare to revolve (see gyrate) + sole the sun, from Latin sōl

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

Word Origin and History for girasole

1580s, from Italian girasole, literally "turning toward the sun," from girare "to rotate" (see gyration) + sole (see Sol).