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amber

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈæmbɝ// UK //ˈæmbɐ// am·ber Archaic Literary

n. a hard, yellowish-brown substance that comes from ancient tree resin. It is often used in jewelry and sometimes contains tiny insects that were trapped millions of years ago.

n. fossilised tree resin, typically translucent and yellowish-brown in colour, valued for its aesthetic qualities and for preserving biological specimens. Often used as a gemstone or in the study of prehistoric life.


SIMPLE

She wears a beautiful necklace made of polished amber.

CONTEXTUAL

Scientists discovered a perfectly preserved mosquito inside a piece of amber found in the forest.

COMPLEX

The specimen was encased in amber for millions of years, providing researchers with a rare, three-dimensional view of an extinct insect's delicate wing structure.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From amber, from Middle English ambre, from Old French ambre, from Latin ambar, from Arabic عَنْبَر (ʕanbar, “ambergris”).

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Hindi अंबर (ambar).

Etymology 3

From a pre-Celtic word.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the substance; countable when referring to a specific piece or a shade of colour.

Idioms3 entries

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