turquoise

[ tur-koiz, -kwoiz ]
/ ˈtɜr kɔɪz, -kwɔɪz /

noun

Also tur·quois. an opaque mineral, a basic hydrous copper aluminum phosphate often containing a small amount of iron, sky-blue or greenish-blue in color, cut cabochon as a gem. Compare bone turquoise.
Also called turquoise blue. a greenish blue or bluish green.

Origin of turquoise

1350–1400; < French: Turkish (stone), equivalent to Turc Turk + -oise, feminine of -ois -ese; replacing Middle English turkeis < Middle French

Example sentences from the Web for turquoise

British Dictionary definitions for turquoise

turquoise
/ (ˈtɜːkwɔɪz, -kwɑːz) /

noun

a greenish-blue fine-grained secondary mineral consisting of hydrated copper aluminium phosphate. It occurs in igneous rocks rich in aluminium and is used as a gemstone. Formula: CuAl 6 (PO 4) 4 (OH) 8 .4H 2 O
  1. the colour of turquoise
  2. (as adjective)a turquoise dress

Word Origin for turquoise

C14: from Old French turqueise Turkish (stone)

Scientific definitions for turquoise

turquoise
[ tûrkwoiz′, -koiz′ ]

A blue to bluish-green or yellowish-green triclinic mineral that occurs in reniform (kidney-shaped) masses with surfaces shaped like a bunch of grapes, especially in aluminum-rich igneous rocks such as trachyte. In its polished blue form it is prized as a gem. Chemical formula: CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·5H2O