Main Entry:

ag·ate

Pronunciation:

\ˈa-gət\

Function:

noun

Usage:

often attributive

Etymology:

Middle French, from Latin achates, from Greek achatēs

Date:

1570

1: a fine-grained variegated chalcedony having its colors arranged in stripes, blended in clouds, or showing mosslike forms2: something made of or fitted with agate: as a: a drawplate used by gold-wire drawers b: a playing marble of agate 3 a: a size of type approximately 5¹⁄₂ point b: condensed information (as advertisements or box scores) set especially in agate type