I. ˈäniks, -nēks sometimes ˈōn- noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English onix, oniche, from Old French & Latin; Old French onix, oniche, from Latin onych-, onyx, from Greek, nail of the finger or toe, claw, onyx — more at nail
1.
a. : a chalcedony that has straight parallel alternating bands of color (as white and black or white and brown) and that is used especially in making cameos — compare sardonyx
b. : black onyx
2. or onyx marble : alabaster 1b
II. adjective
: of the color jet black
the onyx night sky — Flora Lewis
onyx days of the depression — Maurice Zolotow