Jasp
/dʒæsp/noun
A variant or shortened form of jasper, a hard, opaque variety of quartz often marked with distinctive colors or patterns.
Did you know?Ancient jasper was frequently carved into seals and amulets, although claims that every color had a specific magical power come from later lapidary traditions rather than the word’s original meaning.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἴασπις (íaspis)
“A spotted or variegated precious stone, usually identified with jasper”
Classical Latin
Latin
iaspis
“Jasper or a related colored stone”
Old French
Old French
jaspe
“Jasper”
Middle English
Middle English
jaspe
“Jasper, a hard ornamental stone”
Modern English
English
jasp
“A rare or dialectal variant of jasper”