ru|by

ru|by «ROO bee», noun, plural -bies, adjective.

–n.

1. a clear, hard, red precious stone. It is a variety of corundum. Real rubies are very rare. Formula: Al₂O₃

2. its color, a deep, glowing red: »

the natural ruby of your cheek (Shakespeare).

3. something made of ruby, especially a bearing in a watch.

4. red wine: »

Still the Vine her ancient Ruby yields (Edward FitzGerald).

5. British. a size of printing type; approximately 5½ points. In the United States it is called agate.

6. British Slang. blood.

–adj.

deep, glowing red: »

ruby lips, ruby wine.

╂[< Old French rubis, plural of rubi, ultimately < Latin rubeus red]

–ru´by|like´, adjective.

Ru|by «ROO bee», noun, plural -bies.

a red-fleshed variety of grapefruit developed from natural sports of other varieties.