carnelian

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a translucent red, orange, or reddish-brown variety of chalcedony used as a gemstone

   The antique seal was carved from a deep orange carnelian.

2. 2
   noun

   the warm reddish-orange or brownish-red color of this gemstone

   Carnelian warmed the otherwise muted palette of the woven border.

An alteration of earlier cornelian, named for the red cornel cherry, under the influence of Latin carneus, 'flesh-colored,' and caro, 'flesh.' The gemstone's warm red and orange tones encouraged that reshaping of the spelling.

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