Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Diamond

Di′a-mond

(?; 277)
,
Noun.
[OE.
diamaund
,
diamaunt
, F.
diamant
, corrupted, fr. L.
adamas
, the hardest iron, steel, diamond, Gr. [GREEK]. Perh. the corruption is due to the influence of Gr. [GREEK] transparent. See
Adamant
,
Tame
.]
1.
A precious stone or gem excelling in brilliancy and beautiful play of prismatic colors, and remarkable for extreme hardness.
☞ The diamond is native carbon in isometric crystals, often octahedrons with rounded edges. It is usually colorless, but some are yellow, green, blue, and even black. It is the hardest substance known. The diamond as found in nature (called a rough diamond) is cut, for use in jewelry, into various forms with many reflecting faces, or facets, by which its brilliancy is much increased. See
Brilliant
,
Rose
. Diamonds are said to be of the first water when very transparent, and of the second or third water as the transparency decreases.
2.
A geometrical figure, consisting of four equal straight lines, and having two of the interior angles acute and two obtuse; a rhombus; a lozenge.
3.
One of a suit of playing cards, stamped with the figure of a diamond.
4.
(Arch.)
A pointed projection, like a four-sided pyramid, used for ornament in lines or groups.
5.
(Baseball)
The infield; the square space, 90 feet on a side, having the bases at its angles.
6.
(Print.)
The smallest kind of type in English printing, except that called brilliant, which is seldom seen.
☞ This line is printed in the type called
Diamond
.
Black diamond
,
coal;
(Min.)
See
Carbonado
.
Bristol diamond
.
See
Bristol stone
, under
Bristol
.
Diamond beetle
(Zool.)
,
a large South American weevil (
Entimus imperialis
), remarkable for its splendid luster and colors, due to minute brilliant scales.
Diamond bird
(Zool.)
,
a small Australian bird (
Pardalotus punctatus
, family
Ampelidæ
.). It is black, with white spots.
Diamond drill
(Engin.)
,
a rod or tube the end of which is set with black diamonds; – used for perforating hard substances, esp. for boring in rock.
Diamond finch
(Zool.)
,
a small Australian sparrow, often kept in a cage. Its sides are black, with conspicuous white spots, and the rump is bright carmine.
Diamond groove
(Iron Working)
,
a groove of V-section in a roll.
Diamond mortar
(Chem.)
,
a small steel mortar used for pulverizing hard substances.
Diamond-point tool
,
a cutting tool whose point is diamond-shaped.
Diamond snake
(Zool.)
,
a harmless snake of Australia (
Morelia spilotes
); the carpet snake.
Glazier’s diamond
,
a small diamond set in a glazier's tool, for cutting glass.

Di′a-mond

(?; 277)
,
Adj.
Resembling a diamond; made of, or abounding in, diamonds;
as, a
diamond
chain; a
diamond
field.

Webster 1828 Edition


Diamond

DIAMOND

,
Noun.
Dimond. [L., Gr. See Adamant.]
1.
A mineral, gem or precious stone, of the most valuable kind, remarkable for its hardness, as it scratches all other minerals. When pure, the diamond is usually clear and transparent, but it is sometimes colored. In its rough state, it is commonly in the form of a roundish pebble, or of octahedral crystals. It consists of carbon, and when heated to 14 degrees Wedgewood, and exposed to a current of air, it is gradually, but completely combustible. When pure and transparent, it is said to be of the first water.
2.
A very small printing letter.
3.
A figure, otherwise called a rhombus.

DIAMOND

,
Adj.
Resembling a diamond, as a diamond color; or consisting of diamonds, as a diamond chain.

Definition 2024


Diamond

Diamond

See also: diamond

English

Proper noun

Diamond

  1. A female given name of modern usage, from the name of the gem.
  2. A surname.

Derived terms

diamond

diamond

See also: Diamond

English

A diamond (2), (3)

Noun

diamond (plural diamonds)

  1. (uncountable) A glimmering glass-like mineral that is an allotrope of carbon in which each atom is surrounded by four others in the form of a tetrahedron.
    The saw is coated with diamond.
  2. A gemstone made from this mineral.
    • 2012 March 1, Lee A. Groat, “Gemstones”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 128:
      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.
    The dozen loose diamonds sparkled in the light.
  3. A ring containing a diamond.
    What a beautiful engagement diamond.
  4. A very pale blue color/colour.
    diamond color:    
  5. Something that resembles a diamond.
  6. (geometry) A rhombus, especially when oriented so that its longer axis is vertical.
  7. (geometry) The polyiamond made up of two triangles.
  8. (baseball) The entire field of play used in the game.
  9. (baseball) The infield of a baseball field.
    The teams met on the diamond.
  10. (card games) A card of the diamonds suit.
    I have only one diamond in my hand.
  11. (printing, uncountable, dated) A size of type, standardised as 4½ point.
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • (baseball: infield of a baseball field): outfield
Derived terms
See also
Translations

Adjective

diamond (not comparable)

  1. made of, or containing diamond, a diamond or diamonds.
    He gave her diamond earrings.
  2. of, relating to, or being a sixtieth anniversary.
    Today is their diamond wedding anniversary.
  3. of, relating to, or being a seventy-fifth anniversary.
    Today is their diamond wedding anniversary.
  4. (slang) First-rate; excellent.
    He's a diamond geezer.
Translations

Verb

diamond (third-person singular simple present diamonds, present participle diamonding, simple past and past participle diamonded)

  1. to adorn with or as if with diamonds
Translations

Etymology 2

Borrowing from Dutch diamant, used by Dirck Voskens who first cut it around 1700, presumably naming it by analogy with the larger Perl.

Noun

diamond (uncountable)

  1. (printing, dated) The size of type between brilliant and pearl, standardized as 4½-point.