Rubies

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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Of rubies, sapphires, and pearles white. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

2. The color of a ruby; carmine red; a red tint. [1913 Webster]

The natural ruby of your cheeks. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. That which has the color of the ruby, as red wine. Hence, a red blain or carbuncle. [1913 Webster]

4. (Print.) See {Agate}, n., 2. [Eng.] [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

{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}. [1913 Webster]