1910–1911
Britannica 11th
Encyclopaedia Britannica · 11th edition
EMERALD, a bright green variety of beryl, much valued as a gem-stone. The word comes indirectly from the Gr. afiapaySos (Arabic zumurrud) , but this seems to have been a name vaguely given to a number of stones having little in common except a green colour. Pliny's " smaragdus " undoubtedly included several distinct species. Much confusion has arisen with respect to the " emerald " of the Scriptures. The Hebrew word nophek, rendered emerald in the Authorized Version, probably meant the canbuncle: it is indeed trans…
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- Vol. 9, pp. 332-332