garnet Hear it!

garnet1 definition

gar·net (gär′nit)

noun

  1. any of a group of very hard silicate minerals having the general formula AB(SiO), occurring chiefly as well-formed crystals in metamorphic rocks: red varieties are often used as gems, ordinary varieties as abrasives
  2. a deep red
  3. a single-crystal synthetic form used in lasers, electronics, etc.

Etymology: ME gernet < OFr grenat < ML granatus < granatum, garnet, lit., pomegranate < L (see pomegranate): from the resemblance in color

garnet2 definition

gar·net (gär′nit)

noun

Naut. a hoisting tackle for loading cargo

Etymology: LME garnett, prob. < or akin to Du garnaat

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.