[am.e.thyst] n [ME amatiste, fr. OF & L; OF, fr. L amethystus, fr. Gk amethystos, lit., remedy against drunkenness, fr. a- + methyein to be drunk, fr. methy wine--more at mead] (13c) 1 a: a clear purple or bluish violet variety of crystallized quartz that is much used as a jeweler's stone b: a deep purple variety of corundum
2: a moderate purple -- am.e.thys.tine adj