ruby
/ˈruːbi
/noun (plural rubies)
1A precious stone consisting of corundum in colour varieties varying from deep crimson or purple to pale rose: a necklace of rubies [as modifier]: a ruby eternity ring...
- Her collection is not much but it includes mica, aquamarine, tourmaline, rubies and rose quartz.
- And don't miss Ratnapura, where you can not only buy sapphires, rubies, moonstones, aquamarines and the rest, but you can also see where they are mined.
- Gemstones such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires are rarely drilled to make beads as this detracts from their worth.
1.1 [mass noun] An intense purplish-red colour: [as modifier]: the rich ruby liquid [in combination]: this wine has a youthful ruby-red colour...
- Susan likes to cook, so the kitchen is a focal point in the house, with a warm colour scheme of Burmese ruby combined with honey cream to offset the minimalism.
- After tasting their wine, a smooth, dark ruby Bordeaux blend with a rich berry flavor, I'm convinced they're well on their way.
- My mum bought me my very own pair of ruby slippers when I was 12 and she used to plait my hair just like Dorothy!
2 [mass noun] Printing An old type size equal to 5 1/2 points.
Origin
Middle English: from Old French rubi, from medieval Latin rubinus, from the base of Latin rubeus 'red'.
This is the English form of rubinus, the Latin name of the precious stone. This comes from rubeus ‘red’. This is also the source of rubric (Late Middle English) which goes back to Latin rubrica (terra) ‘red (earth or ochre as writing material)’, from the fact that rubrics were originally written in red ink.