Jacint
/ˈdʒæsɪnt/noun
An obsolete English variant of jacinth, a reddish or orange variety of zircon used as a gemstone.
Did you know?The word ultimately connects to Hyacinthus, the beautiful youth in Greek myth whose accidental death inspired Apollo’s grief and the creation of the hyacinth flower.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὑάκινθος (hyákinthos)
“A hyacinth flower or blue gemstone; the word’s deeper origin is uncertain.”
Classical Latin
Latin
hyacinthus
“Hyacinth; also a precious stone or richly colored gem.”
Old French
Old French
jacinte
“Jacinth, a gemstone name influenced by the French sound and spelling of the Latin word.”
Middle English
Middle English
jacint
“A gemstone, especially a reddish variety of zircon; an abbreviated or variant form of jacinth.”
Early Modern English
English
jacint
“An archaic spelling used for the gemstone now more commonly called jacinth.”
Modern English
English
jacint
“Obsolete or rare form of jacinth.”
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