Prasine

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: en, /ˈpɹeɪziːn/

Origin

From a combination of Anglo-Norman prame, Middle French prame (from Late Latin prasinus) and Middle French prasine (from Late Latin prasinum), both ultimately from Latin prasinus ("leek-green"), from Ancient Greek πράσινος, from πράσον ("leek").

Full definition of prasine

Noun

1. (obsolete) A green gem; an emerald. 14th-16th c.
2. (obsolete) A type of green pigment. 14th-17th c.
3. (mineral) Pseudomalachite. from 19th c.
• 1864, Chemical News, 5 Nov 1864:It is possible that just as chrysocolla is silicated malachite, so prasine is phosphated malachite; the physical appearance of these minerals strongly confirms this view.

Adjective

1. (now rare) Leek-green. from 14th c.
• 1969, Vladimir Nabokov, Ada or Ardor, Penguin 2011, p. 284:He recalled, in passing, the sweetness in his lap, her round little bottom, her prasine eyes as she turned toward him and the receding road.

Synonyms

• leek-green
• porraceous
• prasinous

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