Ăm'e-thyst, n.

n. [Lat. amethystus, Gr. ἀμέθυστος, a., without drunkenness, as a n. a remedy for drunkenness, also the precious stone amethyst, supposed to have this power.]

1. (Min.) A sub-species of quartz, of a bluish violet color, of different degrees of intensity. It generally occurs crystallized in hexahedral prisms terminated by corresponding pyramids; also in rolled fragments, composed of imperfect prismatic crystals. Its fracture is conchoidal or splintery. It is wrought into various articles of jewelry. Dana.
2. (Her.) A purple color in a nobleman's escutcheon, or coat of arms. It is the same as purpure in a gentleman's, and mercury in that of a sovereign prince. Encyc. Brit.

Oriental amethyst, the violet-blue variety of transparent crystallized corundum.