noun
obsidian
ob-SIHD-ee-uhn
noun
1
A smooth, glassy black rock formed when lava cools very quickly.
"The ancient blade was carved from obsidian."
"Obsidian can be sharpened to an edge finer than surgical steel."
adj
1
Deep glossy black, like the volcanic glass.
"The cat's obsidian eyes gleamed in the dark."
How to Use Obsidian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA shiny black volcanic glass, or the deep black colour it has.
Common pairings
a shard of obsidian
obsidian black
polished obsidian
Word Forms
more obsidian comparative, obsidians plural, most obsidian superlative
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Etymology
From Latin obsidianus (lapis), traditionally said to be named after a Roman called Obsidius who was credited with discovering the stone.