Background for agates

agates

/ˈæɡəts/

Illustration agates - Image 1

noun

A semi-pellucid, uncrystallized variety of quartz, presenting various tints in the same specimen, with colors delicately arranged in stripes or bands, or blended in clouds.

Examples :

"My grandmother collects beautiful agates that she finds on the beach, each one showing different colors and patterns inside. "

geology mineral material substance

Illustration agates - Image 1

noun

The size of type between pearl and nonpareil, standardized as 5 1/2-point.

Examples :

"The newspaper used agates for the small print in the classified ads, making it hard to read without glasses. "

Illustration agates - Image 1

noun

One fourteenth of an inch

Examples :

"My grandfather, a printer, told me that a "pica" is about six agates high. "

Illustration agates - Image 1

noun

A diminutive person; so called in allusion to the small figures cut in agate for rings and seals.

Examples :

"Even though he was one of the "agates" in his class, being much shorter than the other children, he always had a big smile and a cheerful attitude. "

person figure appearance

Illustration agates - Image 1

noun

A tool used by gold-wire drawers, bookbinders, etc.;—so called from the agate fixed in it for burnishing.

Examples :

"The bookbinder carefully smoothed the gold leaf on the cover using his collection of agates. "

material utensil item art technical industry

Illustration agates - Image 1

noun

A marble made from agate.

Examples :

"The children traded their marbles, hoping to get more agates in the exchange. "

material geology

Illustration agates - Image 1

noun

(usually in the plural) A testicle.

Examples :

"He took a swift kick to the agates during the soccer game. "

body organ sex anatomy