A type of stone or mineral, specifically a type of agate with bands or layers of different colors, often used in jewelry and decoration.
From Greek 'onyx,' which means 'fingernail' or 'claw,' because the stone's translucent quality resembles fingernail color. The word traveled through Latin into Old English. The alternate spelling 'ony' is archaic but historically valid.
The ancient Greeks named onyx after fingernails because they thought the translucent, pinkish bands looked exactly like human nails—and they were so right that we still use gemstones called 'flesh onyx' that look exactly like skin!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.