|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
ruby
ruby precious stone, the transparent red variety of corundum , found chiefly in Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka and classified among the most valuable of gems. The Myanmarese stones are blood red, the most valued tint being the "pigeon's blood." The Thai stones are darker and the Sri Lankan stones lighter than the Myanmarese specimens. Star rubies, i.e., those that show an internal star-shaped formation when cut in cabochon (with a rounded top), are rare. Synthetic rubies are manufactured by the fusion of pure aluminum oxide. Chromium oxide is added to provide the appropriate color. |
|
|
Cite this article
"ruby." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "ruby." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-ruby.html "ruby." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-ruby.html |
|
ruby
ruby a precious stone consisting of corundum in colour varieties varying from deep crimson or purple to pale rose (the term pigeon's blood is sometimes used of ruby of a particularly deep shade).
The name may also be used for the less valuable spinel ruby, a deep red variety of the mineral spinel. The ruby may also be taken as the type of something exceedingly precious, as in the biblical passage. ruby wedding the fortieth (or occasionally, the forty-fifth) anniversary of a wedding; the name is recorded from the early 20th century. |
|
|
Cite this article
ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "ruby." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "ruby." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-ruby.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "ruby." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-ruby.html |
|
ruby
ru·by / ˈroōbē/ • n. (pl. -bies) a precious stone consisting of corundum in color varieties varying from deep crimson or purple to pale rose. ∎ an intense purplish-red color. ∎ Printing an old type size equal to 51/2 points (smaller than nonpareil and larger than pearl). |
|
|
Cite this article
"ruby." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "ruby." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-ruby005.html "ruby." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-ruby005.html |
|
Ruby
Ruby ♀ From the vocabulary word for the gemstone (Latin rubinus, from rubeus ‘red’). The name was chiefly common in the late 19th century and up to the middle of the 20th, and is presently enjoying a revival in parts of the English-speaking world.
|
|
|
Cite this article
PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Ruby." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Ruby." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Ruby.html PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Ruby." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Ruby.html |
|
ruby
|
|
|
Cite this article
"ruby." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "ruby." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-ruby.html "ruby." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-ruby.html |
|
ruby
ruby XIV. — OF. rubi (mod. rubis) — medL. rubīnus, sb. use of adj. f. base of L. rubeus, ruber RED.
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "ruby." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "ruby." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-ruby.html T. F. HOAD. "ruby." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-ruby.html |
|
ruby
|
|
|
Cite this article
AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "ruby." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "ruby." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-ruby.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "ruby." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-ruby.html |
|
ruby
ruby •abbey, cabby, crabby, flabby, gabby, grabby, Rabbie, scabby, shabby, tabby, yabby
•namby-pamby
•Abu Dhabi, Babi, Darby, derby, kohlrabi, Mugabe, Punjabi, Wahhabi
•Entebbe, plebby
•cobwebby
•Achebe, baby, maybe
•Naseby • crybaby • bushbaby
•freebie, Hebe, phoebe
•Libby • Digby
•astilbe, Philby, trilby
•Dimbleby • nimby • Whitby
•frisbee, Thisbe
•Grimsby • renminbi • honeybee
•oribi
•Bobbie, bobby, Gobbi, hobby, knobby, lobby, snobby, swabbie
•Dolby • zombie • Crosby
•corbie, warby
•Albee • Formby • Port Moresby
•adobe, dhobi, dobe, Nairobi, obi, Robey
•Toynbee
•booby, jube, newbie, Newby, ruby
•would-be
•chubby, clubby, cubby, grubby, hubby, nubby, scrubby, shrubby, stubby, tubby
•rugby • bumblebee • brumby • busby
•Niobe • Jacobi • Lockerbie • Allenby
•Willoughby • wallaby • wannabe
•Araby • tsessebi • herby
|
|
|
Cite this article
"ruby." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "ruby." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-ruby.html "ruby." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-ruby.html |
|