[syn: tan, topaz]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Topaz \To"paz\, n. [OE. topas, F. topaze, L. topazos, or
topazion, a kind of precious stone, Gr. to`pazos, topa`zion;
possibly akin to Skr. tap to glow (cf. Tepid). According to
some, the name is from Topazos, a small island in the Red
Sea, where the Romans obtained a stone which they called by
this name, but which is the chrysolite of the moderns.]
1. (Min.) A mineral occurring in rhombic prisms, generally
yellowish and pellucid, also colorless, and of greenesh,
bluish, or brownish shades. It sometimes occurs massive
and opaque. It is a fluosilicate of alumina, and is used
as a gem.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) Either one of two species of large, brilliantly
colored humming birds of the genus Topaza (Topaza
pella or Topaza pyra), of South America and the West
Indies.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The two tail feathers next to the central ones are much
longer that the rest, curved, and crossed. The Throat
is metallic yellowish-green, with a tint like topaz in
the center, the belly is bright crimson, the back
bright red. Called also topaz hummer.
[1913 Webster]
False topaz. (Min.) See the Note under Quartz.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
topaz
n 1: a yellow quartz [syn: topaz, false topaz, common
topaz]
2: a mineral (fluosilicate of aluminum) that occurs in crystals
of various colors and is used as a gemstone
3: a light brown the color of topaz [syn: tan, topaz]
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary:
Topaz
Heb. pitdah (Ezek. 28:13; Rev. 21:20), a golden yellow or
"green" stone brought from Cush or Ethiopia (Job 28:19). It was
the second stone in the first row in the breastplate of the high
priest, and had the name of Simeon inscribed on it (Ex. 28:17).
It is probably the chrysolite of the moderns.