emerald

Etymology

From Middle English emeraude, borrowed from Old French esmeraude, from Vulgar Latin *smaralda, *smaraldus, *smaraudus, variant of Latin smaragdus, from Ancient Greek σμάραγδος (smáragdos), μάραγδος (máragdos), from a Semitic language. Compare Hebrew בָּרֶקֶת (bareket, “emerald, flashing gem”), Akkadian 𒁀𒊏𒄣 (baraqu, literally “scintillation”), Arabic بَرْق (barq, literally “flashing”), Egyptian bwyrqꜣ (literally “to sparkle”):D58-Z7-Z4:D21-N29-Z1-G1-D6 and loanwords with Semitic etymon such as Sanskrit मरकत (marakata) and Persian زمرد (zomorrod) (whence Turkish zümrüt and Russian изумру́д (izumrúd)).

noun

1. Any of various green gemstones, especially a green transparent form of beryl, highly valued as a precious stone.
   Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are diamond, ruby and sapphire, emerald and other gem forms of the mineral beryl, chrysoberyl, tanzanite, tsavorite, topaz and jade. 2012-03, Lee A. Groat, “Gemstones”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 2012-06-14, page 128
2. Emerald green, a colour.
   emerald:
3. (heraldry) Vert, when blazoning by precious stones.
   16. As the first. Crest, on a Mount Emerald, a Falcon rising Topaz. 1726, John Guillim, The Banner Display'd, page 504
   Crest. On a Wreath, a demi Dragon, Emerald, armed and langued, Roby … Supporters. Two Dragons reguardant, Emerald, … 1754, John Lodge, The Peerage of Ireland; Or, a Genealogical History of the ..., page 212
4. Any hummingbird in the genera Chlorostilbon and Elvira; and some in the genus Amazilia
5. (entomology) Any of various species of dragonfly of the family Corduliidae.
6. (dated, printing, UK) A size of type between nonpareil and minion, standardized as 6½-point.

adj

1. Of a rich green colour.
   The insect-queen of eastern spring, / O'er emerald meadows of Kashmeer / Invites the young pursuer near, / And leads him on from flower to flower / A weary chase and wasted hour. 1813, Lord Byron, The Giaour

verb

1. (transitive, poetic) To ornament with, or as if with, emeralds; to make green.