agates

Noun

agate (countable and uncountable, plural agates)

1. A semitransparent, uncrystallized silicate mineral and semiprecious stone, presenting various tints in the same specimen, with colors delicately arranged and often curved in parallel alternating dark and light stripes or bands, or blended in clouds; various authorities call it a variety of chalcedony, a variety of quartz, or a combination of the two.
   • The ends of the veil, drawn over her head, were embroidered with silver; she had long gold ear-rings; to a rich and large gold chain was suspended a cross set with precious stones; and over the arm of her chair hung a rosary of agate beads.1831, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter I, in Romance and Reality. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC, page 9
2. (US, dated, uncountable) The size of type between pearl and nonpareil, standardized as 5+¹⁄₂-point.

   Synonyms:

   ruby

3. (countable) One fourteenth of an inch.
4. (countable, obsolete) A diminutive person; so called in allusion to the small figures cut in agate for rings and seals.
5. (countable) A tool used by gold-wire drawers, bookbinders, etc.;—so called from the agate fixed in it for burnishing.
6. (countable) A marble made from agate.

   Synonyms:

   aggie

See all 8 meanings of agate