Onyx

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: on=yx

CIDE DICTIONARY

Onyx, n. [L., fr. Gr. a claw, finger nail, a veined gem. See Nail, and cf. Onycha.].

•  Chalcedony in parallel layers of different shades of color. It is used for making cameos, the figure being cut in one layer with the next as a ground.  [1913 Webster]
•  Same as Mexican onyx.  [PJC]
•  A deep jet-black color.  [PJC]

Onyx marble, Mexican onyx, a banded variety of marble or calcium carbonate resembling onyx. It is obtained from Mexico in various colors ranging from white to deep black.

Onyx, a. 

 Deep, jet-black.  [PJC]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Onyx, n. a semiprecious variety of agate with different colours in layers.

Idiom

onyx marble banded calcite etc. used as a decorative material.

Etymology

ME f. OF oniche, onix f. L f. Gk onux fingernail, onyx

ROGET THESAURUS

Onyx

Jewelry

N jewel, jewelry, jewellery, bijoutry, bijou, bijouterie, trinket, fine jewelry, costume jewelry, junk jewelry, gem, gemstone, precious stone, necklace, bracelet, anklet, earring, locket, pendant, charm bracelet, ring, pinky ring, carcanet, chain, chatelaine, broach, pin, lapel pin, torque, diamond, brilliant, rock, beryl, emerald, chalcedony, agate, heliotrope, girasol, girasole, onyx, plasma, sard, sardonyx, garnet, lapis lazuli, opal, peridot, tourmaline, chrysolite, sapphire, ruby, synthetic ruby, spinel, spinelle, balais, oriental, oriental topaz, turquois, turquoise, zircon, cubic zirconia, jacinth, hyacinth, carbuncle, amethyst, alexandrite, cat's eye, bloodstone, hematite, jasper, moonstone, sunstone, pearl, cultured pearl, fresh-water pearl, mother of pearl, coral, jeweler, gemologist, minerologist, lapidary, lapidarian, gemology, gemmology, minerology, bejeweled, diamond, (gemstones), gemological.