Meaning

A clear, deep, red variety of corundum, valued as a precious stone..

Definitions by Sense

1. A clear, deep, red variety of corundum, valued as a precious stone.
2. A deep red colour.
3. (heraldry) The tincture red or gules.
4. A ruby hummer, a South American hummingbird, Clytolaema rubricauda.
5. A red bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea rubra.
6. (uncountable, printing, UK, dated) The size of type between pearl and nonpareil, standardized as 5½-point.
7. (typography) A pronunciation guide written above or beside Chinese characters.
8. (obsolete) A red spinel.

Example Sentences

They respond instantly to the faintest rustling in the covert of a sheaf of Ulysses S. Grants, or the homely, rustic tinkle of a wheelbarrow full of rubies being jounced along over a nightclub floor.

Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are diamond, ruby and sapphire, emerald and other gem forms of the mineral beryl, chrysoberyl, tanzanite, tsavorite, topaz and jade.

When now I thinke you can behold such sights, / And keepe the naturall Rubie of your Cheekes, / When mine is blanch'd with feare.

Elgin. Topaz a Saltier and Chief Ruby, on a Canton Pearl a Lyon Rampant Saphyr, which last is their paternal Coat; and the Field Topaz, and Saltier, and Chief Ruby, was the Arms of King Robert the Bruce, they altering the Field from Pearl (as he bore it) to Topaz.

The Field is Ruby, on a Bend Topaz, three Martlets Diamond. [...] Checkie Topaz and Saphire, a Fesse within a Bordure Ruby, by the Name of Clifford.

(1) Pearl, a Cross, Ruby, with the Effigies of our Saviour thereon, Topaz, born in Memory of one of the Family's fighting against the Turks. (2) Topaz, a Chief Indented, Saphire. (3) Ruby, three covered Cups, Topaz [...]

With sanguine drops the walls are rubied

Word Forms

• rubies
• more ruby
• most ruby
• rubying
• rubied

Synonyms for ruby

Related Words

When Should You Use Ruby?

Use ruby when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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