(Hebrews shebo), a precious stone in the breast-plate of the high priest (Exodus 28:19; 39:12), the second in the third row. This may be the agate properly so called, a semi-transparent crystallized quartz, probably brought from Sheba, whence its name. In Isaiah 54:12 and Ezek. 27:16, this word is the rendering of the Hebrew cadcod, which means "ruddy," and denotes a variety of minutely crystalline silica more or less in bands of different tints.

This word is from the Greek name of a stone found in the river Achates in Sicily.

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (adv.) On the way; agoing; as, to be agate; to set the bells agate.

2. (n.) A semi pellucid, uncrystallized variety of quartz, presenting various tints in the same specimen. Its colors are delicately arranged in stripes or bands, or blended in clouds.

3. (n.) A kind of type, larger than pearl and smaller than nonpareil; in England called ruby.

4. (n.) A diminutive person; so called in allusion to the small figures cut in agate for rings and seals.

5. (n.) A tool used by gold-wire drawers, bookbinders, etc.; -- so called from the agate fixed in it for burnishing.