Emerald

Origin

From Middle English emeraude, from Old French esmeraude, from Vulgar Latin *esmaralda, *esmaraldus, variant of Latin smaragdus, from Ancient Greek σμάραγδος, μάραγδος, from Semitic root b-r-q “to shoot lightning, to flash in darkness”, compare Hebrew בָּרֶקֶת “emerald, flashing gem”, Akkadian (barruktu), Arabic buraq “lightning”. Sanskrit मरकत from a Semitic language. Persian زمرد (whence Turkish zümrüt, whence Russian изумруд from Ancient Greek σμάραγδος.

Full definition of emerald

Adjective

1. Of a rich green colour.
• ByronThe insect-queen of eastern spring,
  O'er emerald meadows of Kashmeer
  Invites the young pursuer near,
  And leads him on from flower to flower
  A weary chase and wasted hour.

Noun

1. Any of various green gemstones, especially a green transparent form of beryl, highly valued as a precious stone.
• 2012-03, Lee A. Groat, Gemstones, Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are diamond, ruby and sapphire, emerald and other gem forms of the mineral beryl, chrysoberyl, tanzanite, tsavorite, topaz and jade.
2. Emerald green, a colour.
3. (dated, UK, printing) A kind of type, in size between minion and nonpareil.

Derived terms

• Emerald
• emerald cut
• emerald green
• Emerald Isle

Related terms

• smaragd
• smaragdine