Also 7 echite. [a. Gr. ἐχιτης, f. ἔχις viper.]

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  † 1.  A precious stone, dark-green, red, or violet, with fabulous properties, found in India and Persia; cf. AETITES. Obs.

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1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVI. xxxviii. (1495), 565. Echites conteyneth and bredyth a nother stone wythin.

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1567.  Maplet, Gr. Forest, 6. Echites is a stone … without the which the Eagle can not bring forth her yong.

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1688.  R. Holme, Armoury, II. 40/1. The Echite, is a stone found in India and Persia in the shore and Sea-bancks: it is of a violet colour.

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1731.  Bailey, vol. II. Echites, a precious stone, of a darkish-green colour, somewhat resembling a viper.

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  2.  Bot. A genus of climbing plants (N.O. Apocynaceæ), ‘so called from its twisting habits.’

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1731.  Bailey, vol. II. Echites, an herb, a kind of Clivers.

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1858.  Glenny, Gard. Every-day Bk., 138/1. Echites are beautiful climbers.

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