harlequin opal

harlequin opal
Opal O"pal, n. [L. opalus: cf. Gr. ?, Skr. upala a rock, stone, precious stone: cf. F. opale.] (Min.) A mineral consisting, like quartz, of silica, but inferior to quartz in hardness and specific gravity. [1913 Webster]

Note: The {precious opal} presents a peculiar play of colors of delicate tints, and is highly esteemed as a gem. One kind, with a varied play of color in a reddish ground, is called the {harlequin opal}. The {fire opal} has colors like the red and yellow of flame. {Common opal} has a milky appearance. {Menilite} is a brown impure variety, occurring in concretions at Menilmontant, near Paris. Other varieties are {cacholong}, {girasol}, {hyalite}, and {geyserite}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Harlequin opal — Harlequin Har le*quin (h[aum]r l[ e]*k[i^]n or kw[i^]n), n. [F. arlequin, formerly written also harlequin (cf. It, arlecchino), prob. fr. OF. hierlekin, hellequin, goblin, elf, which is prob. of German or Dutch origin; cf. D. hel hell. Cf. {Hell} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • harlequin opal — /ˈhaləkwən oʊpəl/ (say hahluhkwuhn ohpuhl) noun an opal which has small patches of different colour within the stone, creating a chequered pattern of coloured patches; the rarest and most sought after opal. Also, harlequin …  

  • harlequin opal — noun a reddish opal with small patches of brilliant color • Hypernyms: ↑opal * * * noun : an opal with small angular patches of brilliant color on a reddish ground * * * a variety of opal having patches of various colors. [1870 75] …   Useful english dictionary

  • harlequin opal — a variety of opal having patches of various colors. [1870 75] * * * …   Universalium

  • Harlequin — Har le*quin (h[aum]r l[ e]*k[i^]n or kw[i^]n), n. [F. arlequin, formerly written also harlequin (cf. It, arlecchino), prob. fr. OF. hierlekin, hellequin, goblin, elf, which is prob. of German or Dutch origin; cf. D. hel hell. Cf. {Hell}, {Kin}.]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Harlequin bat — Harlequin Har le*quin (h[aum]r l[ e]*k[i^]n or kw[i^]n), n. [F. arlequin, formerly written also harlequin (cf. It, arlecchino), prob. fr. OF. hierlekin, hellequin, goblin, elf, which is prob. of German or Dutch origin; cf. D. hel hell. Cf. {Hell} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Harlequin beetle — Harlequin Har le*quin (h[aum]r l[ e]*k[i^]n or kw[i^]n), n. [F. arlequin, formerly written also harlequin (cf. It, arlecchino), prob. fr. OF. hierlekin, hellequin, goblin, elf, which is prob. of German or Dutch origin; cf. D. hel hell. Cf. {Hell} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Harlequin cabbage bug — Harlequin Har le*quin (h[aum]r l[ e]*k[i^]n or kw[i^]n), n. [F. arlequin, formerly written also harlequin (cf. It, arlecchino), prob. fr. OF. hierlekin, hellequin, goblin, elf, which is prob. of German or Dutch origin; cf. D. hel hell. Cf. {Hell} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Harlequin caterpillar — Harlequin Har le*quin (h[aum]r l[ e]*k[i^]n or kw[i^]n), n. [F. arlequin, formerly written also harlequin (cf. It, arlecchino), prob. fr. OF. hierlekin, hellequin, goblin, elf, which is prob. of German or Dutch origin; cf. D. hel hell. Cf. {Hell} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Harlequin duck — Harlequin Har le*quin (h[aum]r l[ e]*k[i^]n or kw[i^]n), n. [F. arlequin, formerly written also harlequin (cf. It, arlecchino), prob. fr. OF. hierlekin, hellequin, goblin, elf, which is prob. of German or Dutch origin; cf. D. hel hell. Cf. {Hell} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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