First Known Use: 1570
Dictionary
agate
noun, ag·ate often attributive \ˈa-gət\
: a very hard stone used especially in jewelry that has colors arranged in stripes or in patches
Full Definition of AGATE
1
: a fine-grained variegated chalcedony having its colors arranged in stripes, blended in clouds, or showing mosslike forms
2
: something made of or fitted with agate: as a : a drawplate used by gold-wire drawers b : a playing marble of agate
3
a : a size of type approximately 51⁄2 point b : condensed information (as advertisements or box scores) set especially in agate type
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Origin of AGATE
Middle French, from Latin achates, from Greek achatēs
AGATE Defined for Kids
agate
noun ag·ate \ˈa-gət\
Definition of AGATE for Kids
: a mineral that is a form of quartz with colors arranged in stripes or patches and that is used especially in jewelry
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