Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Ruby?

\Ru"by\, n.; pl. {Rubies}. [F. rubis (cf. Pr. robi), LL. rubinus, robinus, fr. L. rubeus red, reddish, akin to ruber. See {Rouge}, {red}.] 1. (Min.) A precious stone of a carmine red color, sometimes verging to violet, or intermediate between carmine and hyacinth red. It is a red crystallized variety of corundum. Note: Besides the true or Oriental ruby above defined, there are the balas ruby, or ruby spinel, a red variety of spinel, and the rock ruby, a red variety of garnet. Of rubies, sapphires, and pearles white. --Chaucer. 2. The color of a ruby; carmine red; a red tint. The natural ruby of your cheeks. --Shak. 3. That which has the color of the ruby, as red wine. Hence, a red blain or carbuncle. 4. (Print.) See {Agate}, n., 2. [Eng.] 5. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of South American humming birds of the genus {Clytol[ae]ma}. The males have a ruby-colored throat or breast. {Ruby of arsenic}, {Ruby of sulphur} (Chem.), a glassy substance of a red color and a variable composition, but always consisting chiefly of the disulphide of arsenic; -- called also {ruby sulphur}. {Ruby of zinc} (Min.), zinc sulphide; the mineral zinc blende or sphalerite. {Ruby silver} (Min.), red silver. See under {Red}.
\Ru"by\, a. Ruby-colored; red; as, ruby lips.
\Ru"by\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Rubied}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Rubying}.] To make red; to redden. [R.] --Pope.