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topazmore about topaz

topaz


  4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Topaz  \To"paz\,  n.  [OE.  topas,  F.  topaze,  L.  topazos  or 
  topazion  a  kind  of  precious  stone,  Gr  to`pazos,  topa`zion; 
  possibly  akin  to  Skr.  tap  to  glow  (cf.  {Tepid}).  According  to 
  some  the  name  is  from  Topazos  a  small  island  in  the  Red 
  Sea,  where  the  Romans  obtained  a  stone  which  they  called  by 
  this  name  but  which  is  the  chrysolite  of  the  moderns.] 
  1.  (Min.)  A  mineral  occurring  in  rhombic  prisms,  generally 
  yellowish  and  pellucid,  also  colorless,  and  of  greenesh, 
  bluish,  or  brownish  shades.  It  sometimes  occurs  massive 
  and  opaque.  It  is  a  fluosilicate  of  alumina,  and  is  used 
  as  a  gem. 
 
  2.  (Zo["o]l.)Either  one  of  two  species  of  large  brilliantly 
  colored  humming  birds  of  the  {Topaza},  of  South  America 
  and  the  West  Indies. 
 
  Note:  The  two  tail  feathers  next  to  the  central  ones  are  much 
  longer  that  the  rest,  curved,  and  crossed.  The  Throat 
  is  metallic  yellowish-green,  with  a  tint  like  topaz  in 
  the  center,  the  belly  is  bright  crimson,  the  back 
  bright  red.  Called  also  {topaz  hummer}. 
 
  {False  topaz}.  (Min.)  See  the  Note  under  {Quartz}. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  topaz 
  n  1:  a  yellow  quartz  [syn:  {false  topaz},  {common  topaz}] 
  2:  a  mineral  (fluosilicate  of  aluminum)  that  occurs  in  crystals 
  of  various  colors  and  is  used  as  a  gemstone 
  3:  a  light  brown  [syn:  {tan}] 
 
  From  U.S.  Gazetteer  (1990)  [gazetteer]: 
 
  Topaz,  CA 
  Zip  code(s):  96133 
 
  From  Easton's  1897  Bible  Dictionary  [easton]: 
 
  Topaz 
  Heb.  pitdah  (Ezek.  28:13;  Rev.  21:20),  a  golden  yellow  or 
  green"  stone  brought  from  Cush  or  Ethiopia  (Job  28:19).  It  was 
  the  second  stone  in  the  first  row  in  the  breastplate  of  the  high 
  priest,  and  had  the  name  of  Simeon  inscribed  on  it  (Ex.  28:17). 
  It  is  probably  the  chrysolite  of  the  moderns. 
 




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