Where does “Amethyst” come from?
Amethyst comes from Middle English ametist, from Old French ametiste, from Ancient Greek ἀμέθυστος, composed of the prefix ἀ- (not) and a root from Proto-Indo-European ne (not).
Amethyst (English): A transparent purple to violet variety of quartz with traces of manganese, used as a gemstone
Definitions
- A transparent purple to violet variety of quartz with traces of manganese, used as a gemstone
Ancestry of “Amethyst”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | ametist | — |
| 2 | Old French | ametiste | amethyst |
| 3 | Latin | amethystus | amethyst |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | ἀμέθυστος | not drunken, without drunkenness, sober; not... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | μεθυστής | drunken |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | μεθύω | to get drunk; I am drunk |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | μέθυ | wine |
| 8 | Proto-Hellenic | métʰu | intoxicating drink; mead |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | médʰu | honey; honey wine, mead |