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The "Seedy" Origins of Garnet
The deep-red color of this gemstone reminded the French of a red-skinned fruit. In early French the fruit was called pomme grenate, which means “seedy apple.” This later became pomegranate in English. The early French word grenate, meaning “seedy,” is the source of the adjective grenat, meaning “red like a pomegranate.” This word was then used as a noun to refer to the deep-red gemstone. When borrowed into English, grenat became garnet.
Examples of garnet in a Sentence
Tom Hyland, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Gems include blue, pink and violet sapphires, amethysts, rubies, pink garnets, tanzanites, iolites, aquamarines and diamonds.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024
The name ‘garnet’ for example, comes from the way the Ancient Greeks described the red, glowing stones.
—Kate Matthams, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Rubies were referenced in the Bible - although these stones are now thought to have been more likely garnets or spinels - and often symbolize blood.
—Kate Matthams, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near garnet
Cite this Entry
“Garnet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/garnet. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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garnet
noun
Middle English gernet "garnet," from early French gernete (same meaning), from gernet (adjective) "red like a pomegranate," from pomme gernete "pomegranate," literally, "seedy apple"; pomme from earlier pome "apple" and gernete derived from Latin granum "grain, seed" — related to grain, grenade, pomegranate
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