The Collaborative International Dictionary
Turquoise \Tur*quoise"\, Turquois \Tur*quois"\ (?; 277), n. [F. turquoise; cf. Pr. & Sp. turquesa, It. turchese, turchina, LL. turchesius, turchina; -- so called because first brought from Turkey. See 1st Turkey.] (Min.) A hydrous phosphate of alumina containing a little copper; calaite. It has a blue, or bluish green, color, and usually occurs in reniform masses with a botryoidal surface.
Note: Turquoise is susceptible of a high polish, and when of a bright blue color is much esteemed as a gem. The finest specimens come from Persia. It is also found in New Mexico and Arizona, and is regarded as identical with the chalchihuitl of the Mexicans.
Wiktionary
n. (archaic form of turquoise English)
Usage examples of "turkois".
This fetich is also of compact white limestone, of a yellowish gray color, although traces of blue paint and large turkois eyes indicate that it was intended, like Plate III, Fig.
It is of gray sandstone, stained first red, then blue, the latter color being further indicated by settings of green turkois on either side and along the back, as well as in the eyes.
Although of compact white limestone, this fetich is made to represent the blue Eagle by means of turkois eyes and a green stain over the body.
Upper regions, the drab color of the body being varied by fragments of pure turkois inserted into the eyes, breast, and back.
A notch in the top and front of the head probably indicates that the specimen was once supplied with a beak, either of turkois or of white shell.
Hunters, save that it is more elaborate and is sometimes supplied with a minute heart of turkois bound to the side of the figure with sinew of the Mountain Lion, with which, also, the arrow-point is invariably attached, usually to the back or belly.
The precious beads of shell, turkois, coral, or black stone, varied occasionally with small univalves from the ocean, are bound over all with a cotton cord.