Onyx
/ˈɒn.ɪks/noun
A hard, banded form of chalcedony, typically black or black-and-white.
Did you know?The Greek word ónyx originally meant both “claw” and “fingernail,” because the stone’s pale bands were imagined to resemble a nail or claw, giving this gem a body-bound, almost talismanic name.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₃nogʰ-
“A root meaning “nail, claw” (reconstructed).”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὄνυξ (ónyx)
“A fingernail, claw, or the gemstone onyx.”
Latin
Latin
onyx
“A claw, fingernail, or onyx stone, borrowed from Greek.”
Old French
Old French
oniche / onix
“The gemstone onyx.”
Middle English
English
onyx
“The stone onyx.”
Modern English
English
onyx
“A banded chalcedony gemstone, often black or black-and-white.”
Explore more surprising origins