— chatoyance, chatoyancy , n.
/sheuh toy"euhnt/ , adj.
1. changing in luster or color: chatoyant silk.
2. Jewelry. reflecting a single streak of light when cut in a cabochon.
n.
3. Jewelry. a cabochon-cut gemstone having this reflected streak, as a chrysoberyl cat's-eye.
[ 1790-1800; chatoyer to change luster like a cat's eye, equiv. to chat CAT 1 + -oy- v. suffix + -ant -ANT ]