To"paz (?), n. [OE. topas, F.
topaze, L. topazos, or topazion, a kind of precious
stone, Gr. to`pazos, topa`zion; possibly akin to Skr.
tap to glow (cf. Tepid). According to some, the name is from
Topazos, a small island in the Red Sea, where the Romans obtained a
stone which they called by this name, but which is the chrysolite of the
moderns.] 1. (Min.) A mineral occurring in
rhombic prisms, generally yellowish and pellucid, also colorless, and of
greenesh, bluish, or brownish shades. It sometimes occurs massive and
opaque. It is a fluosilicate of alumina, and is used as a gem.
2. (Zoöl.) Either one of two species of
large, brilliantly colored humming birds of the Topaza, of South
America and the West Indies.
&fist; The two tail feathers next to the central ones are much longer
that the rest, curved, and crossed. The Throat is metallic yellowish-green,
with a tint like topaz in the center, the belly is bright crimson, the back
bright red. Called also topaz hummer.
False topaz. (Min.) See the Note under
Quartz.
To"paz (?), n. [OE. topas, F.
topaze, L. topazos, or topazion, a kind of precious
stone, Gr. to`pazos, topa`zion; possibly akin to Skr.
tap to glow (cf. Tepid). According to some, the name is from
Topazos, a small island in the Red Sea, where the Romans obtained a
stone which they called by this name, but which is the chrysolite of the
moderns.] 1. (Min.) A mineral occurring in
rhombic prisms, generally yellowish and pellucid, also colorless, and of
greenesh, bluish, or brownish shades. It sometimes occurs massive and
opaque. It is a fluosilicate of alumina, and is used as a gem.
2. (Zoöl.) Either one of two species of
large, brilliantly colored humming birds of the Topaza, of South
America and the West Indies.
&fist; The two tail feathers next to the central ones are much longer
that the rest, curved, and crossed. The Throat is metallic yellowish-green,
with a tint like topaz in the center, the belly is bright crimson, the back
bright red. Called also topaz hummer.
False topaz. (Min.) See the Note under
Quartz.
