ruby
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: ipa: /ˈɹuː.bi/
rhymes: -uːbi
Forms: form: rubies
Etymology: From Middle English ruby, rube, from Old French rubi, from Medieval Latin rubīnus. Doublet of rubine.
Senses: examples: text: They respond instantly to the faintest rustling in the covert of a sheaf of Ulysses S. Grants, or the homely, rustic tinkle of a wheelbarrow full of rubies being jounced along over a nightclub floor.
ref: 1957, The Monthly Record, volume 61, page 22:
text: 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.
ref: 2012 March 23, Lee A. Groat, “Gemstones”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 14 Jun 2012, page 128:
glosses: A clear, deep, red variety of corundum, valued as a precious stone.
examples: text: When now I thinke you can behold such sights, / And keepe the naturall Rubie of your Cheekes, / When mine is blanch'd with feare.
ref: c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv]:
glosses: A deep red colour.
examples: text: Elgin. Topaz a Saltier and Chief Ruby, on a Canton Pearl a Lyon Rampant Saphyr, which last is their paternal Coat; and the Field Topaz, and Saltier, and Chief Ruby, was the Arms of King Robert the Bruce, they altering the Field from Pearl (as he bore it) to Topaz.
ref: 1720, Francis Nichols, Rudiments of Honour, page 296:
text: The Field is Ruby, on a Bend Topaz, three Martlets Diamond. [...] Checkie Topaz and Saphire, a Fesse within a Bordure Ruby, by the Name of Clifford.
ref: 1726, John Guillim, The Banner Display'd; Or, an Abridgment of Guillim, page 504:
text: (1) Pearl, a Cross, Ruby, with the Effigies of our Saviour thereon, Topaz, born in Memory of one of the Family's fighting against the Turks. (2) Topaz, a Chief Indented, Saphire. (3) Ruby, three covered Cups, Topaz [...]
ref: 1754, John Lodge, The Peerage of Ireland; Or, a Genealogical History of the ..., page 71:
topics: government
heraldry
hobbies
lifestyle
monarchy
nobility
politics
glosses: The tincture red or gules.
glosses: A ruby hummer, a South American hummingbird, Clytolaema rubricauda.
glosses: A red bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea rubra.
topics: media
printing
publishing
synonyms: word: agate
glosses: The size of type between pearl and nonpareil, standardized as 5½-point.
glosses: A red spinel.
Derived terms: word: antique ruby
word: balas-ruby
word: Colorado ruby
word: Mont Blanc ruby
word: rock ruby
word: rose-a-ruby
word: rubasse
word: rubious
word: ruby anniversary
word: ruby blende
word: ruby chocolate
word: ruby jubilee
word: ruby port
word: ruby red
word: ruby-red
word: ruby shark
word: ruby silver
word: ruby slippers
word: ruby spinel
taxonomic: Archilochus colubris
word: ruby-throated hummingbird
word: ruby tiger
word: ruby wedding
word: star ruby
Related terms: corundum
rouge
rubicund
rubric
rufous
russet