Diamond
/ˈdaɪ.ə.mənd/noun
A very hard, clear gemstone made of carbon, or a diamond-shaped figure.
Did you know?The English word ultimately comes from Greek adámas, meaning “unbreakable” or “untamed,” the same ancient root behind words for steel-hard resistance and unstoppable power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dem-
“to tame, subdue”
Ancient Greek
Greek
adámas
“unbreakable, untamed; later, especially hard metal or steel”
Late Latin
Latin
diamas
“diamond; also a very hard substance”
Old French
Old French
diamant
“diamond”
Middle English
English
diamaunt
“diamond”
Modern English
English
diamond
“the gemstone or a diamond-shaped figure”