jade´like´

jade¹ «jayd», noun, adjective.

–n.

1. a hard stone used for jewelry and ornaments; jadeite or nephrite. Most jade is green, but some is whitish.

2. any of various other stones of similar appearance and use.

3. an object or carving made from jade.

4. a light green; jade green.

–adj.

light-green; jade-green.

╂[< French le jade, earlier l'ejade < Spanish (piedra de) ijada (stone of) colic; pain in the side (because jade was thought to cure this) < Vulgar Latin īliāta < īlia, flanks, groin]

–jade´like´, adjective.

jade² «jayd», noun, verb, jad|ed, jad|ing.

–n.

1. an inferior or worn-out horse.

2. Figurative. disreputable or shrewish woman; hussy (used contemptuously or playfully): »

a light-minded, jilting jade.

–v.t.

1. to wear out; tire; weary: »

In the second half the Old Boys, now a little jaded, failed to pierce a stubborn defence (London Times).

SYNONYM(S): fatigue, exhaust.

2. to dull by continual use; surfeit; satiate.

3. Obsolete. to make a fool of: »

I do not now fool myself, to let imagination jade me (Shakespeare).

–v.i.

to become tired or weary; grow dull.

╂[origin uncertain; perhaps < Scandinavian (compare Old Icelandic jalda mare)]