Origin: 1500-1600 French from early Spanish (piedra de la) ijada (stone of the) lower back; because it was believed that jade cures pain in the kidneys
1 a hard, usually green, stone often used to make jewelry2 (also jade green) the light green color of this stone [Origin: 1500–1600 French from early Spanish (piedra de la) ijada (stone of the) lower back; because it was believed that jade cures pain in the kidneys]