carnelian
(kɑːˈniːlɪən)
Forms: 7–8 carnelion, 9 carnelian.
[A variant of cornelian, altered under the influence of med.L. carneolus carneol, or otherwise etymologized from L. carn-em flesh, with the notion of expressing ‘flesh-coloured’.]
cornelian; a flesh-coloured, deep red, or reddish-white variety of chalcedony.
| 1695 Woodward Nat. Hist. Earth (T.) The common carnelion has its name from its flesh colour..which is, in some of these stones, paler, when it is called the female carnelion; in others deeper, called the male. 1789 Mrs. Piozzi Journ. France II. 335 Carnelions much amaze one in so northern a latitude. 1816 J. Smith Panorama Sc. & Art II. 463 The carnelion is an agate nearly transparent, of different shades. 1861 C. King Ant. Gems (1866) 5 The Carnelian is a semi-transparent quartz of a dull red colour, arranged often in different shades. |