Diamond

(dī'a-mund, or dī'mund) (Synop., § 130), n. [O. Eng. diamante, diamant, Fr. diamant, Pr. diaman, It. & Sp. diamante, Ger. & D. diamant, corrupted from Lat. adamas, adamantis, Gr. ἀδάμας, ἀδάμαντος, the hardest iron, steel, diamond, probably under the influence of Gr. διαφανής, transparent, It. diafano, Fr. diaphane. See ADAMANT.]

1Sense 1. A mineral and gem remarkable for its hardness, as it scratches all other minerals. It is crystallized carbon, the crystals being monometric, and usually with convex faces; they are sometimes colored, or even black.

☞ Diamonds are said to be of the first water when very transparent, and of the second or third water as the transparency decreases.

2Sense 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.

3Sense 3. One of a suit of playing cards, stamped with the figure of a diamond.

4Sense 4. (Print.) The smallest kind of type used in English printing.

☞ This line is printed in the type called DIAMOND.