zebech

Old Spanish

Etymology

Borrowed from Andalusian Arabic, from Arabic سَبَج (sabaj, “jet”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d͡zeˈbet͡ʃ/

Noun

zebech m (plural zebeches)

1. jet (lignite)
   • c. 1250, Alfonso X, Lapidario, f. 76v:

     DEl quarto grado del ſigno de capricornio es la piedra aque llaman zebech. Dura es. ⁊ de color mui negro. ⁊ liuiana de peſo.

     Of the fourth degree of the sign of Capricorn is the stone they call jet. It is hard, and of a very black color, and light in weight.

Descendants

• Spanish: azabache