Ruby

(32), n. [Fr. rubis, Pr. robi, robin, Sp. rubí, rubin, Pg. rubí, rubim, It. rubino, L. Lat. rubinus, robinus, from Lat. rubens, red, reddish, from ruber, red; Ger., Dan., & Sw. rubin, D. robijn.]

1. (Min.) A precious stone or mineral, of a carmine red color, sometimes verging to violet, or intermediate between carmine and hyacinth red. The common ruby is a red variety of the spinel. The Oriental ruby is red sapphire, a gem of great beauty and value.
2. That which resembles a ruby; that which is bright and red; a redness.

You can behold such sights And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks, While mine are blanched with fear. Shak.

3. Hence, a blotch, blain, or carbuncle. “Rubies about his nose.” Capt. Jones.
4. (Print.) A size of printing type smaller than nonpareil, and next larger than pearl;—so called in England. In the United States it is called agate.

☞ This line is printed in ruby, or agate. Rock ruby (Min.), a fine red variety of garnet. Dana. —Ruby of arsenic or sulphur (Chem.), the protosulphuret of arsenic, or red compound of arsenic and sulphur;—called also ruby-sulphur. —Ruby of zinc, the protosulphuret of zinc, or red blende;—called also ruby-blende. —Ruby silver. See RED-SILVER.