onyx
[ on-iks, oh-niks ]
/ ˈɒn ɪks, ˈoʊ nɪks /
noun
Mineralogy. a variety of chalcedony having straight parallel bands of alternating colors.Compare Mexican onyx.
(not used technically) an unbanded chalcedony dyed for ornamental purposes.
black, especially a pure or jet black.
Medicine/Medical. a nail of a finger or toe.
adjective
black, especially jet black.
QUIZZES
CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"
"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?
Question 1 of 10
earnest
Origin of onyx
1250–1300; Middle English onix < Latin onyx < Greek ónyx nail, claw, veined gem
Words nearby onyx
onychoschizia, onychosis, onychotillomania, onychotomy, onymous, onyx, onyx marble, onyxis, onz, oo gauge, oo-
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for onyx
British Dictionary definitions for onyx
onyx
/ (ˈɒnɪks) /
noun
a variety of chalcedony with alternating black and white parallel bands, used as a gemstone. Formula: SiO 2
a compact variety of calcite used as an ornamental stone; onyx marble. Formula: CaCO 3
Word Origin for onyx
C13: from Latin from Greek: fingernail (so called from its veined appearance)
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
Medical definitions for onyx
onyx
[ ŏn′ĭks ]
n.
unguis
A collection of pus in the anterior chamber of the eye.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for onyx
onyx
[ ŏn′ĭks ]
A type of chalcedony that occurs in straight and parallel bands of different colors, often black and white.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.