Etymology Map
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Beryl

6 stages from Sanskrit to English.

Today it means A mineral (beryllium aluminum silicate) whose gem varieties include emerald and aquamarine.

Where does the word "beryl" come from? It comes from Sanskrit vaidurya, passing through Prakrit, Greek, Latin and Old French before entering English (medieval).

1
Stage 1 of 6
vaidurya
Sanskrit · ancient
"a precious gem, beryl"
named the pale green gemstone
2
Stage 2 of 6
veluriya
Prakrit · ancient
"beryl gemstone"
the vernacular form of the Sanskrit gem name
3
Stage 3 of 6
beryllos
Greek · ancient
"beryl"
Greek traders adopted the Indian word for the gem
4
Stage 4 of 6
beryllus
Latin · ancient
"beryl"
carried into Latin by the Roman gem trade
5
Stage 5 of 6
beryl
Old French · medieval
"beryl"
passed into French before reaching English
6
Stage 6 of 6
beryl
English · medieval
"a pale green to blue-green mineral, source of emerald and aquamarine"
settled as the English name for the mineral family that includes emerald and aquamarine
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