smaragdine, n. and a.
(sməˈrægdɪn, -aɪn)
Also 5 smaragdin, -yn(e, -en, -an, -one, 6 smaradine.
[ad. L. smaragdin-us of emerald, a. Gr. σµαράγδιν-ος, f. σµάραγδος: see smaragdus. Cf. OF. smaragdine n., mod.F. smaragdin, -ine adj.]
A. n. = smaragd.
This use is due to a misunderstanding of the Vulgate text of Rev. iv. 3 ‘similis visioni smaragdinæ’, which in turn is an inaccurate rendering of the Gr. ὅµοιος ὁράσει σµαραγδίνῳ.
| 1382 Wyclif Rev. iv. 3 The reynbowe was in the cumpas of the seete, lijk to the siȝt of smaragdyn. 1390 Gower Conf. III. 112 Ther sitten fyve Stones mo: The smaragdine is on of tho. c 1400 Destr. Troy 924 Þis stone full of strenght,..smaragden hit hat. 1423 Jas. I. Kingis Q. clv, Off bestis sawe I mony diuerse kynd:..The pantere, like vnto the smaragdyne. 1584 R. W. Three Ladies of Lond. D iv, Besides I haue Diamondes, Rubyes, Emerodes,..Smaradines,..and almost of all kinde of precious stones. |
B. adj.
1. Of or belonging to, consisting of, a smaragd; resembling that of a smaragd; of an emerald green.
| 1591 Lodge Catharos F j b, He putteth a Smaragdine stone in his nest, against venemous beastes of the mountaines. 1611 H. Broughton Require Agreem. 56 Now what meaneth this: A Rainbow was about the throne, in sight Smaragdine. 1651 French Distill. v. 170 If gold and silver together, a Smaragdine colour. 1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. IV. xlvi. 283 Smaragdine (Smaragdinus), the green splendour of the emerald. 1839–48 Bailey Festus 29/1 The spiritual sun, The Heavenly Earth smaragdine,..still exist. 1855 ― Mystic, etc. 91 That smaragdine mirror (their chief toy Which all the angels wrought). |
| Comb. 1651 French Distill. v. 168 A smaragdine-greene. 1842 W. Howitt Life Germany 349 Lakes and floods of the most lovely smaragdine-coloured waters. |
2. smaragdine table, a mediæval Latin work on alchemy, Tabula Smaragdina (publ. 1541), attributed to the Egyptian Hermes Trismegistus.
| 1597 tr. Hortulanus (J. de Garlandia), A brief Commentarie upon the Smaragdine Table of Hermes of Alchemy. 1652 H. P. (title), Five Treatises of the Philosophers Stone... To which is added the Smaragdine Table. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 426 ¶6, I shall never forget the venerable Air of his Countenance, when he let me into the profound Mysteries of the Smaragdine Table of Hermes. |