smaragd Now rare.
(ˈsmærægd)
Forms: α. 3–8 smaragde, 4– smaragd (6–7 smarag). β. 6 smaradg, 6–7 smaradge.
[a. OF. smaragde (more commonly esmaragde, esmeraude, -alde: see emerald), or ad. L. smaragdus smaragdus. Cf. MDu. and Du. smaragd, MHG. smaragt (G. smaragd, † schmaragd).]
A precious stone of a bright green colour; an emerald.
| α a 1272 Luue Ron 174 in O.E. Misc., Smaragde, Beril, and crisopace. 13.. K. Alis. 5683 (Bodl. MS.), Safyres, Smaragdes, & Margarites. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 135 In þe whiche londe beeþ..smaragdes, and oþer precious stones. c 1400 Mandeville (Roxb.) vii. 25 Þare þai fynd..þe fairest smaragdes þat er ower whare. 1445 in Anglia XXVIII. 265 Habergeownys also with smaragdis grene, & helmys with iacinte clere. 1555 Eden Decades (Arb.) 158 The Smaragde is the trew emerode. 1580–3 Greene Mamillia Wks. (Grosart) II. 43 What is more pleasaunt to the sight, then a Smaragde, yet what lesse profitable, if it be not vsed? 1638 Junius Paint. Ancients 178 The famous sealing⁓ring of Polycrates was a Smaragde. 1686 Plot Staffordsh. 55 Borax or green Earth..is the better, by how much the nearer it comes to the colour of a true Smaragd. 1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v., The Oriental Smaragds are..the hardest, and their Splendor the most vigorous. 1847 Thackeray Novels by Eminent Hands, Codlingsby III. xxiv, Ruby, amethyst, and smaragd. 1885 R. F. Burton Arab. Nts. (1887) III. 41 Its skirts were set with the greenest smaragds. |
| transf. 1562 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) i. 220 Cherie maist chaist,..Smaill sweit smaragde, smelling but smit of smot. |
| β 1567 J. Maplet Gr. Forest 20 The Smaradge hath his name of his excellent and fresh greene colour. 1608 Topsell Serpents 804 It is also said that, if a viper do behold a good smaradge, her eyes will melt. 1635 Swan Spec. M. (1670) 259 The Emerald is a precious stone of a green colour, something like unto the Smaradge. 1688 Holme Armoury ii. 41/1 The Smaradge, is of an excellent fresh green, far passing any Leaf. |