Smerald
/ˈsmɛrəld/noun
An obsolete or variant English form of “emerald,” meaning a bright green precious stone.
Did you know?Medieval writers often treated emeralds as symbols of purity and protection, but “smerald” itself is a historical spelling variant rather than a separate magical stone.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
σμάραγδος (smaragdos)
“A green gemstone, especially an emerald; the deeper origin of the word is uncertain.”
Late Latin
Latin
smaragdus
“Emerald or green precious stone, borrowed from Greek.”
Old French
Old French
esmeralde
“Emerald; the initial vowel and consonant cluster reflect medieval French transmission.”
Middle English
Middle English
smerald
“An emerald; a variant form recorded in medieval English.”
Modern English
English
smerald
“An obsolete or historical variant of “emerald,” now chiefly encountered in historical texts or dictionaries.”
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