† ˈrubine Obs.
Also 6 rubin.
[var. of ruby, corresponding to OF. and Sp. rubin (Pg. rubim), It. rubino, med.L. rubinus; also MHG. rubîn (G. rubin), MSw. robin (Sw. and Da. rubin), MDu. rubijn, robijn (Du. robijn).]
A ruby.
| c 1511 1st Eng. Bk. Amer. (Arb.) Introd. 34/1 Precyous stones. As..Dyamant, Topasius, Carbonkel, Rubin. 1553 Eden Treat. New Ind. (Arb.) 20 At the rootes wherof are found Rubines, Hiacinthes,..and suche other precious stones. 1590 Spenser F.Q. ii. iii. 24 Twixt the perles and rubins softly brake A silver sound. 1651 French Distill. vi. 186 It will be like to an orientall Rubine. 1691 Ray Creation i. (1692) 81 The Carbuncle or Rubine shining with red, the Sapphire with blue. |
| attrib. 1576 Baker Jewell of Health 142 The oyle will become of a Rubine colour. 1617 T. Campion Wks. (Bullen) 83 Her rubine lips, when they their pearl unlock [etc.]. 1651 French Distill. v. 169 Five or six graines thereof give..a most incomparable rubine colour. |
b. A ruby colour.
| c 1700 in Dampier Voy. (1729) III. 405 The Head and Throat being of an admirable Rubine surpassing Description. |
Hence
ruˈbineous a. rare—0.
| 1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. IV. xlvi. 283 Rubineous, the red splendour of the ruby. |