Turquoise

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈtɜː(ɹ).k(w)ɔɪz/, /ˈtɜː(ɹ).k(w)ɔɪs/
• US IPA: /ˈtÉš.kɔɪz/

Origin

From Middle French turquoise, from Old French (pierre) turqueise ("Turkish (stone)"). The stone was originally brought to Europe from Turkestan.

Full definition of turquoise

Noun

1. A sky-blue, greenish-blue, or greenish-gray semi-precious gemstone.
• 2012-03, Lee A. Groat, Gemstones, Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are … . (Common gem materials not addressed in this article include amber, amethyst, chalcedony, garnet, lazurite, malachite, opals, peridot, rhodonite, spinel, tourmaline, turquoise and zircon.)
2. A pale greenish-blue colour, like that of the gemstone.
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 1, The half-dozen pieces … were painted white and carved with festoons of flowers, birds and cupids. To display them the walls had been tinted a vivid blue which had now faded, but the carpet, which had evidently been stored and recently relaid, retained its original turquoise.

Synonyms

• (colour) blue-green, green-blue, greenish blue, turquoise blue

Derived terms

• bone turquoise

Adjective

1. Made of turquoise (the gemstone).
2. Having a pale greenish-blue colour.