noun
agate
A type of banded chalcedony, often used in jewelry and ornamental objects.
この指輪にはめのうが使われています。
This ring uses agate.
めのうは色の縞模様が美しい石です。
Agate is a stone with beautiful colored bands.
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 瑪瑙 is rare and mainly used in technical or literary contexts.
Kanji form; rarely used in everyday writing.
Katakana spelling, often used in scientific or commercial contexts.
The word めのう is derived from the Chinese term 瑪瑙 (mǎnǎo), which itself may have origins in a foreign language. The exact derivation is uncertain.