emerald
/ˈɛm(ə)r(ə)ld
/noun
1A bright green precious stone consisting of a chromium-rich variety of beryl: [as modifier]: an emerald necklace...
- The shining diamonds, rubies, emeralds, peridots, topaz, sapphires have now acquired a special status for the wearer.
- The blue-silver metal was cast in an ornate fashion, and white diamonds spotted with emeralds, beryls and emeralds crusted the edges of the metal.
- Synthetic ruby, sapphire, spinel, emerald, opal, and turquoise are commonly encountered, but synthesis of diamond for gem cutting has so far been very limited.
2 [mass noun] (also emerald green) A bright green colour: the sea glistened in shades of emerald and jade...
- The bodice was plain, starched white, while the skirt itself a deep emerald.
- The necklace she wore around her neck glowed a deep emerald as he did so.
- The beautiful emeralds of the South American rainforests became a warm blue.
3 (also emerald moth) A slender-bodied green moth, the colour of which tends to fade as the moth ages.
- Several genera in the family Geometridae.
4A hawker dragonfly with a metallic green body.
- Cordulia and other genera, family Corduliidae.
5A small hummingbird with bright metallic green plumage and darker wings and tail, found mainly in the area of the Caribbean and Central America.
- Three genera, in particular Chlorostilbon and Amazilia, family Trochilidae: numerous species.
adjective
Bright green in colour: beyond the airport lay emerald hills...
- To the south, past the tiny level valley the group was in, was an ocean of rolling emerald hills, as far as anyone could see.
- She was holding her dad's hand as they all walked down the dirt road alongside pastures of emerald hills.
- The emerald hills of South America appear lived-in and intimate.
Origin
Middle English: from Old French e(s)meraud, ultimately via Latin from Greek (s)maragdos, via Prakrit from Semitic (compare with Hebrew bāreqeṯ, from bāraq 'flash, sparkle').
The word emerald can be traced back to Greek smaragdos, and ultimately to an ancient Hebrew verb meaning ‘flash or sparkle’. In early English examples the word's meaning is vague, and does not necessarily refer to a green stone. Ireland has been called the Emerald Isle, on account of its lush greenery, since as long ago as 1795. See also diamond