agate

See also: Agate

English

Agate

Etymology 1

From Middle French agathe, from Latin achatēs, from Ancient Greek ἀχάτης (akhátēs, “agate”).

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈæɡət/

Noun

agate (countable and uncountable, plural agates)

  1. (countable, uncountable, mineralogy) 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.
  2. (uncountable, US printing, dated) The size of type between pearl and nonpareil, standardized as 5½-point.
  3. (countable, typography) One fourteenth of an inch
  4. (countable, obsolete) A diminutive person; so called in allusion to the small figures cut in agate for rings and seals.
  5. (countable) A tool used by gold-wire drawers, bookbinders, etc.;—so called from the agate fixed in it for burnishing.
  6. (countable) A marble made from agate.
  7. (slang, usually in the plural) A testicle.
Synonyms
Hyponyms
  • (mineralogy): fortification agate, Scotch pebble; moss agate, clouded agate
Derived terms
Translations

Etymology 2

a- (“on”) +‎ gate (“way”)

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /ʌˈɡat/

Adverb

agate (not comparable)

  1. (obsolete) On the way; agoing.
    to be agate; to set the bells agate
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Cotgrave to this entry?)

Esperanto

Adverb

agate

  1. present adverbial passive participle of agi

French

Noun

agate m (plural agates)

  1. agate

Further reading

Ido

Verb

agate

  1. adverbial present passive participle of agar

Italian

Noun

agate f

  1. plural of agata
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