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onyx

onyx

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2008 | Copyright

onyx , variety of cryptocrystalline quartz , differing from agate only in that the bands of which it is composed are parallel and regular. Its appearance is most striking when the bands are of sharply contrasting colors; black and white specimens are often used for cameos. Onyx was used in Roman times for the fabrications of vases and cups. Sardonyx contains onyx and carnelian or sard. "Onyx marble," "Mexican onyx," and "Oriental alabaster" are terms applied to travertine .

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Onyx

Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology | 2001 | Copyright

Onyx

A precious stone whose properties were believed to resemble those of jasper; it was also supposed to increase saliva in boys and cause bad dreams. If applied to the eye, it was believed to remove anything noxious.

The onyx was also believed to create strife, cause melancholy, and cure epilepsy. According to the Bible, an onyx was the eleventh stone in the breastplate of the High Priest (Exod. 28:20), but it is possible that this stone (in Hebrew, shoham ) is known today as beryl.

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onyx

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

onyx a semi-precious variety of agate with different colours in layers. In the Bible it is one of the precious jewels said in Exodus 28:20 to have been set in the high priest's breastplate, and in Revelation 21:20 it is said to be one of the twelve jewels set in the wall of the New Jerusalem.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "onyx." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "onyx." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-onyx.html

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onyx

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

onyx Semi-precious variety of the mineral chalcedony, a form of agate. It has straight parallel bands. White and red forms are called carnelian onyx; white and brown, sardonyx. It is found mostly in India and South America.
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onyx

A Dictionary of the Bible | 1997 | | Copyright

onyx One of the precious jewels on the high priest's breastpiece (Exod. 28: 20) and considered as valuable as gold (Job 28: 16). It is also one of the twelve jewels set in the wall of the heavenly Jerusalem (Rev. 21: 20).
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W. R. F. BROWNING. "onyx." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

W. R. F. BROWNING. "onyx." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-onyx.html

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onyx

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | | Copyright

onyx (sardonyx) A mixture of chalcedonic (see CHALCEDONY) silica SiO2 and hydrous silica SiO2.nH2O; occurs as flat, banded varieties with white, grey, brown, red, and black bands.
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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "onyx." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "onyx." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-onyx.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "onyx." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-onyx.html

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onyx

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

onyx XIII (oniche). — OF. oniche, onix — L. acc. onycha, nom. onyx — Gr. ónukha, ónux NAIL, claw, onyx stone.
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T. F. HOAD. "onyx." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "onyx." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-onyx.html

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onyx

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

on·yx / ˈäniks/ • n. a semiprecious variety of agate with different colors in layers.

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onyx

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

onyx •admix, affix, commix, fix, Hicks, intermix, MI6, mix, nix, Nyx, pix, Pnyx, prix fixe, pyx, Ricks, six, Styx, transfix, Wicks •Aquarobics • radix • appendix •crucifix • suffix • Alex • calyx •Felix, helix •kylix • Horlicks • prolix • spondulicks •hydromechanics • phoenix •Ebonics, onyx •mechatronics • sardonyx •Paralympics • semi-tropics •subtropics • Hendrix •dominatrix, matrix •administratrix • oryx • tortrix •executrix • Beatrix • cicatrix •Essex, Wessex •kinesics • coccyx • Sussex •informatics, mathematics •Dianetics • geopolitics • bioethics •cervix • astrophysics • yikes

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