beryl

¹

[ ber-uhl ]

noun

1. a mineral, beryllium aluminum silicate, Be 3 Al 2 Si 6 O 18 , usually green, but also blue, rose, white, and golden, and both opaque and transparent, the latter variety including the gems emerald and aquamarine: the principal ore of beryllium.

Beryl

²

[ ber-il ]

noun

1. a female given name.

beryl

/ ˈbɛrɪl /

noun

1. a white, blue, yellow, green, or pink mineral, found in coarse granites and igneous rocks. It is a source of beryllium and is sometimes used as a gemstone; the green variety is emerald, the blue is aquamarine. Composition: beryllium aluminium silicate. Formula: Be 3 Al 2 Si 6 O 18 . Crystal structure: hexagonal

beryl

/ bĕr′əl /

1. A usually green or bluish-green hexagonal mineral occurring as transparent to translucent prisms in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Transparent varieties, such as emeralds and aquamarine, are valued as gems. Beryl is the main source of the element beryllium. Chemical formula: Be 3 Al 2 Si 6 O 18 .

Derived Forms

• ˈberyline, adjective

Other Words From

• ber·yl·ine [ber, -, uh, -lin, -lahyn], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of beryl¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English beril, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin bērillus, from Latin bēryllus, from Greek bḗryllos, bērýllion, from Prakrit veruḷiya (compare Sanskrit vaiḍūrya ), from Pali veḷuriya, originally referring to white beryl or quartz, of uncertain Dravidian origin, perhaps after Belur, Karnataka, where the mineral was mined (akin to Kannada biḷi “white” + ūru “habitation, town”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of beryl¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin bēryllus , from Greek bērullos , of Indic origin

Example Sentences

In “The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet,” a banker is nearly deceived by his own niece to the tune of £50,000 and his good name.

From The Daily Beast

These new people—that woman for instance, Beryl J. Bell—she's young, she believes in her books, her mind isn't tired like mine.

From Project Gutenberg

After the formal introduction Lady Beryl led the way into the library, wherein stood the time-lock safe.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he looked from Cleek to Lady Beryl, who was leaning against the table, overcome with emotion.

From Project Gutenberg

Cleek flashed an inquiring look at his host, who in his turn was mutely questioning Lady Beryl.

From Project Gutenberg

In the sheltered Caribbean cove the water was warm as milk, green and clear as liquid beryl, and shot through with shimmering sun.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blue-green
• olive