‖ sardius
(ˈsɑːdɪəs)
Also 4, 6 sardis, 6 sardeos, -ios, -ious; also in the anglicized forms 6 sardye, 7 sardie.
[L. sardius (Vulg.), ad. Gr. σάρδιος, σάρδιον, f. σάρδεις Sardis: see Sardian.]
A precious stone mentioned by ancient writers; see sard n.1 (Chiefly in translations of or allusions to the Bible or classical writers.)
| 1382 Wyclif Ezek. xxviii. 13 Eche precious stoon thi keuerynge, sardius, topacius, and iaspis. 1390 Gower Conf. III. 132 The Ston which that this sterre alloweth, Is Sardis. 1526 Tindale Rev. xxi. 20 The sixt sardeos [1560 (Genev.) Sardious]. 1530 ― Exod. xxxix. 10 Sardios [1535 Coverdale a Sardis], a Topas and smaragdus. 1567 J. Maplet Gr. Forest 19 The Sardye is a kind of Gemme red coloured. 1596 Lodge Wits Miserie 76 The stone Sardius hindreth the properties thereof [wrath]. 1608 Willet Hexapla Exod. 640 The sardie is red and somewhat of a fierie colour. 1611 Bible Exod. xxxix. 10. 1681 Grew Musæum iii. i. iv. 290 The Sardius or Cornelian. 1865 J. H. Ingraham Pillar of Fire (1872) 219 There were present merchants from Ind with boxes of precious stones, including the diamond and the sardius. |