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What is the difference between agate and onyx?

agate | onyx |

As nouns the difference between agate and onyx

is that agate is a semi-pellucid, uncrystallized variety of quartz, presenting various tints in the same specimen, with colors delicately arranged in stripes or bands, or blended in clouds while onyx is a banded variety of chalcedony, a cryptocrystalline form of quartz.

As an adverb agate

is on the way; agoing.

As an adjective onyx is

jet-black.

agate

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) agathe, from (etyl) .

Noun

  • (countable, uncountable, mineral) A semi-pellucid, uncrystallized variety of quartz, presenting various tints in the same specimen, with colors delicately arranged in stripes or bands, or blended in clouds.
  • (uncountable, US, printing) 5.5-point size of type, larger than pearl and smaller than nonpareil; in England called ruby.
  • (countable, obsolete) A diminutive person; so called in allusion to the small figures cut in agate for rings and seals.
  • (countable) A tool used by gold-wire drawers, bookbinders, etc.;—so called from the agate fixed in it for burnishing.
  • (slang, usually in plural) A testicle.
  • Synonyms
    * (printing) ruby (Britain)
    Hyponyms
    * (mineralogy) fortification agate, Scotch pebble; moss agate, clouded agate
    Derived terms
    * moss agate * agate line * agateware

    Etymology 2

    Adverb

    (-)
  • (obsolete) On the way; agoing.
  • to be agate'''; to set the bells '''agate
    (Cotgrave)
    ----

    onyx

    English

    (wikipedia onyx)

    Noun

  • (mineralogy) A banded variety of chalcedony, a cryptocrystalline form of quartz.
  • A jet-black color, named after the gemstone.
  • Adjective

    (-)
  • jet-black
  • * , Genesis, 2:12
  • And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1922, author=, title=“Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days, chapter=3/7/2 citation
  • , passage=There was no moon, only stars set brilliantly in the soft black onyx of the sky?: a black night and very silent on Cimiez?; and a black and silent prospect from the verandah

    See also

    * sardonyx

    References

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