1. Having a colour at the end of the colour spectrum (next to orange); resembling the colour of blood, cherries, tomatoes or rubies
   "The picture would come through dark with a ruby tinge";
   - red, reddish, ruddy, blood-red, carmine, cerise, cherry, cherry-red, crimson, ruby-red, scarlet, reddy, rufescent

1. A transparent piece of ruby that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
   "The crown was adorned with rubies and sapphires"
    
2. A transparent deep red variety of corundum; used as a gemstone and in lasers
   "The engagement ring featured a brilliant ruby surrounded by diamonds"
    
3. A deep and vivid red colour
   "The ruby roses were the centrepiece of the bouquet";
   - crimson, deep red
    
4. (historical) a size of printing type
   "The old typesetter still had a collection of ruby type in his workshop"

Derived forms: rubies

See also: chromatic

Type of: corundum, gem, jewel, precious stone, red, redness, transparent gem

Encyclopedia: Ruby, Okanogan County, Washington