Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EM'E-RALD, n. [Sp. esmeralda; Port. id.; It. smeraldo; Fr. emeraude; Arm. emeraudenn; G. D. and Dan. smaragd; L. smaragdus; Gr. μαραγδος and σμαραγδος; Ch. זמרגד; Syr. ܙܡܪܓܕܐ zmaragda; Ar. زُمُرُدٌ zomorodon. It is probable that the European words are from the Oriental, though much altered. The verb ןמר signifies to sing, to call, to amputate, &c.; but the meaning of Emerald is not obvious.]

A mineral and a precious stone, whose colors are a pure, lively green, varying to a pale, yellowish, bluish, or grass green. The primary form of the crystal is a hexagonal prism, which is often variously modified. It is a little harder than quartz, becomes electric by friction, is often transparent, sometimes only translucent, and before the blowpipe is fusible into a whitish enamel or glass. The finest emeralds have been found in Peru. Emerald and beryl are varieties of the same species. Kirwan. Cleaveland.