n.
Pronunciation: ' t ō - ˌ paz
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English topace, from Anglo-French, from Latin topazus, from Greek topazos
Date: 13th century
1 a : a mineral that is essentially a silicate of aluminum and usually occurs in orthorhombic translucent or transparent crystals or in white translucent masses b : a usually yellow to brownish-yellow transparent mineral topaz used as a gem c : a yellow sapphire d : a yellow quartz
2 : either of two large brilliantly colored So. American hummingbirds ( Topaza pella and T. pyra )