emerald
Americannoun
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a rare variety of beryl that is colored green by chromium and valued as a gem.
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Printing. (in Britain) a 6½-point type of a size between nonpareil and minion.
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Ornithology. any of numerous small bright green hummingbirds of the genus Chlorostilbon.
adjective
noun
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a green transparent variety of beryl: highly valued as a gem
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the clear green colour of an emerald
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( as adjective )
an emerald carpet
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(formerly) a size of printer's type approximately equal to 6 1/ 2 point
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short for emerald moth
Usage
What does emerald mean? An emerald is a rare, transparent, deep-green gemstone.Emeralds are a rare green variety of the mineral beryl. They are classified as precious gems, meaning that they have a high commercial value. Emeralds can be very expensive. The value of emeralds is often based on how dark they are, with darker ones being priced higher.The emerald is the traditional birthstone for the month of May. It’s associated with the zodiac signs Taurus and Cancer.The word emerald can also be used to refer to a deep color of green, sometimes called emerald green, or to describe things that are this color.Example: My grandmother gave me this emerald ring to remember where our family immigrated came from—Ireland, the “Emerald Isle.”
Etymology
Origin of emerald
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English emeraude, emeralde, from Anglo-French, Old French esmeraude, esmeralde, esmeragde, from Latin smaragdus, from Greek smáragdos; probably ultimately from Semitic b-r-q “to shine,” also the ultimate source of Sanskrit marakata “emerald”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In addition to lithium, Somaliland is rich in tantalum and niobium -- critical minerals for electronics -- as well as gold, copper, and emeralds, according to the ministry, though quantities have yet to be verified.
From Barron's
They include a diamond and emerald necklace Emperor Napoleon gave to his wife were stolen.
From BBC
Pearls dangle at the ends of her pendant earrings, and three separate necklaces—studded, we think, with emeralds—draw the eye to her creamy neck.
There are no flying monkeys or emerald cities here.
From BBC
The jackalope bounded across the emerald fields, and though he was going uphill for steep climbs, he didn’t seem bothered one bit.
From Literature
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.