balas

[ bal-uhs, bey-luhs ]

noun

, Mineralogy.

1. a rose-red variety of spinel.

balas

/ ˈbeɪ-; ˈbæləs /

noun

1. a red variety of spinel, used as a gemstone Also calledbalas ruby

Word History and Origins

Origin of balas¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin balasius, variant of balascius < Arabic balakhsh, back formation from Persian Badakhshān, district near Samarkand, where gem is found

Word History and Origins

Origin of balas¹

C15: from Old French balais , from Arabic bālakhsh , from Badhakhshān , region in Afghanistan where the gem is found

Example Sentences

The balas money which you now pay the pirates will be counted with your profits, for I will drive the pirates from these seas.

From Project Gutenberg

After the death of Balas he laid siege to the Akra; and “the apostates, who hated their own nation,” appealed to Demetrius.

From Project Gutenberg

The rubies of Burma are found in crystalline limestones and are constantly accompanied by precious spinel (or balas-ruby).

From Project Gutenberg

Spinelle Ruby, called Dodecahedral corundum by some mineralogists, and Balas ruby by lapidaries.

From Project Gutenberg

The "rubies" of the poet's time were frequently ruby spinels, or the so-called "balas rubies" from Badakshan, in Afghan Turkestan.

From Project Gutenberg