Emerald
/ˈɛm.ə.rəld/noun
A bright green precious gemstone, a variety of beryl.
Did you know?The word ultimately traces back to Greek smáragdos, a term for green gems that passed through Latin and Old French before arriving in English.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sm̥h₂-r̥g-
“A proposed ancient root connected to brightness or shining; the exact prehistory is uncertain.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σμάραγδος (smáragdos)
“A green gemstone, especially an emerald or similar green stone.”
Latin
Latin
smaragdus
“An emerald; a green precious stone.”
Old French
Old French
esmeraude
“Emerald.”
Middle English
English
emeraude / emerald
“A green precious stone, especially the gemstone now called emerald.”
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