Onyx

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈɔnɪks/

Origin

Before 1300 as onix, in about 1250 as oneche, from Old French oniche or onix, or from Latin onyx, from Greek ὄνυξ onyx.

Chambers Dictionary of Etymology, Robert K. Barnhart (ed.), Chambers, 1988

Full definition of onyx

Noun

1. (mineralogy) A banded variety of chalcedony, a cryptocrystalline form of quartz.

Adjective

1. jet-black
• Authorized Version, Genesis, 2:12And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.
• 1922, w, “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days Chapter 3/7/2, 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 ...