azabache

Spanish

Etymology

From Andalusian Arabic السبج (as-sabáj), from Arabic سَبَج (sabaj, “jet, obsidian”), from Middle Persian špk' (/⁠šabag⁠/, “jet, obsidian”), from šp (/⁠šab⁠/, “night”), from Old Persian 𐎧𐏁𐎱 (x-š-p /⁠xšapa⁠/).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): (Spain) /aθaˈbat͡ʃe/ [a.θaˈβ̞a.t͡ʃe]
• IPA^(key): (Latin America) /asaˈbat͡ʃe/ [a.saˈβ̞a.t͡ʃe]
• Rhymes: -atʃe
• Syllabification: a‧za‧ba‧che

Noun

azabache m (plural azabaches)

1. Jet; a form of compact, glistening coal often used in jewelry

Adjective

azabache m or f (masculine and feminine plural azabaches)

1. Having a jet colour; of a deep black, and often glistening, colour

Further reading

• “azabache”, in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014