Rubies

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Ruby \Ru"by\, n.; pl. {Rubies}. [F. rubis (cf. Pr. robi), LL.
     rubinus, robinus, fr. L. rubeus red, reddish, akin to ruber.
     See {Rouge}, {red}.]
     1. (Min.) A precious stone of a carmine red color, sometimes
        verging to violet, or intermediate between carmine and
        hyacinth red. It is a red crystallized variety of


        corundum.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Besides the true or Oriental ruby above defined, there
           are the balas ruby, or ruby spinel, a red variety of
           spinel, and the rock ruby, a red variety of garnet.
           [1913 Webster]
  
                 Of rubies, sapphires, and pearles white.
                                                    --Chaucer.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. The color of a ruby; carmine red; a red tint.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The natural ruby of your cheeks.      --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. That which has the color of the ruby, as red wine. Hence,
        a red blain or carbuncle.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Print.) See {Agate}, n., 2. [Eng.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. (Zool.) Any species of South American humming birds of the
        genus {Clytolaema}. The males have a ruby-colored throat
        or breast.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {Ruby of arsenic}, {Ruby of sulphur} (Chem.), a glassy
        substance of a red color and a variable composition, but
        always consisting chiefly of the disulphide of arsenic; --
        called also {ruby sulphur}.
  
     {Ruby of zinc} (Min.), zinc sulphide; the mineral zinc blende
        or sphalerite.
  
     {Ruby silver} (Min.), red silver. See under {Red}.
        [1913 Webster]