I. noun
also tur·quois ˈtərˌk(w)ȯiz, ˈtə̄ˌ-, ˈtəiˌ-
( plural turquoises )
Etymology: Middle English turkeis, torcas, turcas, from Middle French turquoyse, turquaise, from feminine of turquoys, turqueis Turkish, from Old French, from Turc Turkish
1. : a mineral CuAl 6 (PO 4 ) 4 (OH) 8 .5H 2 O consisting of a blue, bluish green, or greenish gray hydrous basic copper aluminum phosphate isomorphous with chalcosiderite, occurring usually in reniform masses with a botryoidal surface, taking a high polish, and changing sometimes to a green tint but when sky blue valued as a gem and mined in Persia and Arizona and New Mexico
2.
a. : a variable color averaging a light greenish blue that is deeper and slightly greener than average turquoise blue and greener and deeper than average aqua or average robin's-egg blue (sense 1)
b. : a light bluish green that is bluer and paler than average turquoise green, slightly deeper and very slightly bluer than average aqua green (sense 1), and bluer, lighter, and stronger than robin's-egg blue (sense 2)
II. adjective
also turquois “
1.
a. : consisting of turquoise
a turquoise carving
b. : set or set off with turquoise or turquoises
a turquoise brooch
2. : of either of the colors turquoise or turquoise blue