jade

[ jeyd ]

See synonyms for jade on Thesaurus.com

noun

either of two minerals, jadeite or nephrite, sometimes green, highly esteemed as an ornamental stone for carvings, jewelry, etc.
an object, as a carving, made from this material.

Also called jade green . green, varying from bluish green to yellowish green.

Origin of jade

1585–95; <French <Italian giada<obsolete Spanish (piedra de) ijada (stone of) colic <Vulgar Latin *iliata, equivalent to Latin īli(a) flanks (see ilium) + -ata-ate¹; so called because supposed to cure nephritic colic

Other words from jade

jadelike, adjective

Other definitions for jade (2 of 2)

jade²

[ jeyd ]

noun

a worn-out, broken-down, worthless, or vicious horse.
a disreputable or ill-tempered woman.

verb (used with or without object),jad·ed, jad·ing.

to make or become dull, worn-out, or weary, as from overwork or overuse.

Origin of jade

1350–1400; Middle English; of obscure origin

Other words from jade

jadish, adjective
jad·ish·ly, adverb
jad·ish·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use jade in a sentence

But he was quite right in carping at her, for fortune, like other fickle jades, is more likely to be true if steadily abused.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James Wills
Worthy Mr. Piper, best of contractors who ever furnished four frampal jades, vol.
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction | Various
Among them are brazen jades who chatter saucily with the guards, and these are the best treated of all.
Tin-Types Taken in the Streets of New York | Lemuel Ely Quigg
She is never without store of Hackney Jades, which she will let any one Ride, that will pay for their hire.
The London-Bawd: With Her Character and Life | Anonymous
Now this is precisely what the New York hackman invariably does before he gathers up the reins and urges on his "galled jades."
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 18, July 30, 1870 | Various

British Dictionary definitions for jade (1 of 2)

jade¹

/ (dʒeɪd) /

noun

- a semiprecious stone consisting of either jadeite or nephrite. It varies in colour from white to green and is used for making ornaments and jewellery
- (as modifier): jade ornaments
- the green colour of jade
- (as modifier): a jade skirt

Origin of jade

C18: from French, from Italian giada, from obsolete Spanish piedra de ijada colic stone (literally: stone of the flank, because it was believed to cure renal colic); ijada, from Vulgar Latin īliata (unattested) flanks, from Latin īlia, plural of īlium; see ileum

Derived forms of jade

jadelike, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for jade (2 of 2)

jade²

/ (dʒeɪd) /

noun

an old overworked horse; nag; hack
derogatory, or facetious a woman considered to be ill-tempered or disreputable

verb

to exhaust or make exhausted from work or use

Origin of jade

C14: of unknown origin

Derived forms of jade

jadish, adjective
jadishly, adverb
jadishness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for jade

jade

[ jād ]

A hard gemstone that is pale green or white and consists either of the mineral jadeite (a pyroxene) or the mineral nephrite (an amphibole). It usually forms within metamorphic rocks.

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