garnet

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   any of a group of hard silicate minerals, commonly dark red and often cut as gemstones

   A deep red garnet was set in the center of the silver ring.

2. 2
   noun

   a deep, dark red color resembling a common variety of the gemstone

   The curtains were a rich garnet that looked almost purple in shadow.

3. 3
   adj

   deep dark red in color

   Her garnet scarf stood out against the grey coat.

Simplified etymology

Garnet has parallels in many European languages, but its precise origin is uncertain. It probably came through French from Latin granatum, “pomegranate,” because the stone resembles the jewel-like covering of a pomegranate seed; an alternative connects it with Latin granum, “grain,” which could also refer to the red dye cochineal made from tiny seedlike insects.

From Middle English gernet or granate, through Old French grenat and Medieval Latin granatus, probably connected with Latin granatum ("pomegranate"). The mineral was named for the resemblance of common red garnets to pomegranate seeds.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary