diamond
English meaning: Diamond
Definition
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.
Example
“The saw is coated with diamond.”
Another example: “The batter sprinted around the diamond to score the winning run.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A noun for the precious gemstone and hardest natural carbon allotrope, prized in jewellery ('diamond ring'). Also a card suit, a baseball infield, and a rhombus shape. Figuratively, something of great value ('a diamond in the rough').
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old French 'diamant', from Late Latin 'diamas', an alteration of Latin 'adamas' ('hardest metal', from Greek 'adamas', 'invincible').
Synonyms
- gem
- jewel
- gemstone
- brilliant
- infield
Antonyms / Opposites
- outfield
Related Words
Common Collocations
- diamond ring
- diamond in the rough
- rough diamond
- diamond necklace
- baseball diamond
- diamond anniversary
Word Forms
diamond (n); diamonds (pl)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B