Smaragdus
/smaˈraɡ.dus/noun
A historical Latin word for an emerald.
Did you know?Latin *smaragdus* comes from Greek *smaragdos*, and that ancient gemstone word ultimately spread into many European languages, leaving traces in words like *smaragdine* and even the rare scientific name *smaragdine* for emerald-green color.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*smar-
“A proposed ancient root connected with brightness or shining green color, though the deeper prehistory is uncertain.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
smaragdos
“An emerald or bright green gemstone.”
Classical Latin
Latin
smaragdus
“An emerald; also emerald-green in color.”
Old French
Old French
esmeraude
“An emerald.”
Middle English
English
emeraunde / emeraude
“An emerald.”
Modern English
English
emerald
“A deep green gemstone, a green color, or something resembling that color.”
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