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Obsidian

Colours
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Obsidian is a glossy, jet-black volcanic glass, associated with sharpness, volcanic force, and mirror-like darkness.

Detailed Definition
Obsidian, the natural glass of volcanoes, brings associations of sudden formation, cutting edges, and reflective black surfaces. Poets employ it for eyes, blades, or night skies when they need a darkness that feels both mineral and dangerously alive. Its geological origin invests the color with latent energy and a sense of primordial power.
Example
Example in poetry:
Obsidian’s volcanic origin lets poets write “obsidian edge of the broken dream,” linking glossy black to sudden force and sharpness; A lyric can read “obsidian mirror of the still lake at night,” fusing reflection with mineral darkness; In mythic verse “the obsidian gates of the underworld” restore primordial power; Educational line: “her obsidian silence cut the argument short” transfers the glass’s cutting quality onto speech; Pair with verbs of fracturing or reflecting.
Additional Notes
Obsidian’s origin as volcanic glass supplies associations of sudden formation, cutting edges, and mirror-like darkness. Poets can exploit this for images of sharpness, primordial force, or reflective black surfaces. Tip: pair obsidian with verbs of fracturing or reflecting to emphasize its dual danger and clarity. Related blacks include jet and ebony; obsidian is the most geological and energetic. University discussion can examine how the material’s volcanic birth enriches themes of sudden change or dangerous insight.
Other Meanings of “Obsidian”
Also Known As
Volcanic Glass Black Glass Raven Stone Night Rock
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