1. 1. A colorless, blue, yellow, brown, or pink aluminum silicate mineral, often found in association with granitic rocks and valued as a gemstone, especially in the brown and pink varieties.
   2. Any of various yellow gemstones, especially a yellow variety of sapphire or corundum.
2. A light yellow variety of quartz.
3. Either of two South American hummingbirds (Topaza pyra or T. pella) having colorful plumage.

[Middle English topace, from Old French, from Latin topazus, from Greek topazos.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.