moss agate

American  

noun

1. a kind of agate or chalcedony containing brown or black mosslike dendritic markings from various impurities.

---

moss agate British  

noun

1. a variety of chalcedony with dark greenish mossy markings, used as a gemstone

---

Etymology

Origin of moss agate

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Citrine, aventurine and moss agate are said to attract abundance.

From Los Angeles Times

Sometimes he seems almost to shame human craftsmanship, as when he rings a frothy enamel medallion of vestal virgins with 11 ovals of moss agate, here a pale, glasslike stone containing plantlike mineral formations.

From New York Times

Its colors are delicately arranged in stripes or bands, or blended in clouds. µ The fortification agate, or Scotch pebble, the moss agate, the clouded agate, etc., are familiar varieties.

From Project Gutenberg

For I had some recollection of having been with our brake-beam-riding right fielder the evening "Lefty" Clancy tried to palm a moss agate out of one of Joe's trays—and got caught.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he looked up at the boy, and his large bovine eyes turned hard as moss agates.

From Project Gutenberg