ruby

ruby · noun, adjective, verb¹

1. Medieval Latin · derived fromrubīnus
2. Old French · derived fromrubi
3. Middle English · inherited fromruby
4. English todayruby

From Middle English ruby, rube, from Old French rubi, from Medieval Latin rubīnus. Doublet of rubi and rubine. Etymology 1 sense 7 (“pronunciation guide”) is from the British 5½-point type size (etymology 1 sense 6), used for annotations in printed documents.

Ruby · proper noun, noun²

The female name derives from ruby in the 19th century. The programming language was named after the gemstone.

Words from the same roots