Chatoyant

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ʃəˈtɔɪənt/

Origin

From French chatoyant, present participle of chatoyer, from chat ("cat") (because of the reflective qualities of a cat's eye).

Full definition of chatoyant

Adjective

1. (jewelry) Having a certain optical reflectance effect, which can be likened to the sheen of a spool of silk.

Related terms

• chatoyancy

Noun

1. (mineral) A hard stone, such as the cat's-eye, which presents on a polished surface, and in the interior, an undulating or wavy light.----