Where does “ruby” come from?
Ruby comes from Old French rubi, derived from Latin rubeus meaning red, formed with the Latin suffix -inus, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₁rewdʰ- meaning red.
ruby (English): A clear, deep, red variety of corundum, valued as...
Definitions
- A clear, deep, red variety of corundum, valued as...
Ancestry of “ruby”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old French | rubi | — |
| 2 | Latin | rubeus | red, reddish; of or pertaining to the bramble... |
| 3 | Latin | ruber | red approximately like red ochre (which had a traditional status among the Romans); red that was both common and dignified, somewhat associated with pigment |
| 4 | Proto-Italic | ruðros | red |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | h₁rudʰrós | red |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | h₁rewdʰ- | red |