Almandine
/ˈæl.mən.daɪn/noun
A deep red variety of garnet used as a gemstone.
Did you know?Almandine was once believed to have protective properties and was used in ancient rituals to ward off evil spirits.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
almandine
“A term for a specific type of garnet, derived from the Arabic and Latin names for garnet.”
14th Century
Latin
almandinus
“Referring to a garnet-like stone, linked to the Arabic term.”
9th Century
Arabic
حجر الرمان (hajar al-rumman)
“'Pomegranate stone', a reference to the red color of garnets.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*al-
“A root meaning 'to nourish' or 'to grow' associated with the fruit-bearing nature of the garnet.”