Etymology Inherited from Middle English beryl, from Old French beril, from Latin bērillus, bēryllus, from Ancient Greek βήρυλλος (bḗrullos, “beryl”), in turn borrowed from Middle Indic forms like Pali veḷuriya or Prakrit 𑀯𑁂𑀭𑀼𑀮𑀺𑀅 (verulia), from Dravidian, probably named after Velur (modern day Belur) in southern India.
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Chemistry, Geography, Geology, Mineralogy, Natural sciences, Physical sciences A mineral of pegmatite deposits, often used as a gemstone (molecular formula Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈).
The sunset had been magnificent, and the Thames was floating in dark radiance; the waves wearing that transparent clearness, which gives more the idea of melted beryl, than aught else: every little circle in the water had that trembling light which characterises precious stones.1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “The Fête”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 57:
Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are diamond, ruby and sapphire, emerald and other gem forms of the mineral beryl, chrysoberyl, tanzanite, tsavorite, topaz and jade.2012 March 23, Lee A. Groat, “Gemstones”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 14 Jun 2012, page 128:
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An example (a stone) of the mineral beryl.
The crown was set with six beryls of excellent size and color.
The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl […]1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Ezekiel 1:16:
1 more example
His buskins were laced with gold, and from his belt hung a sword, narrow of blade and keen, the hilt rough with beryls and black diamonds.1922, E[ric] R[ücker] Eddison, The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance, London: Jonathan Cape […], →OCLC, page 5:
Etymology Inherited from Middle English beryl, from Old French beril, from Latin bērillus, bēryllus, from Ancient Greek βήρυλλος (bḗrullos, “beryl”), in turn borrowed from Middle Indic forms like Pali veḷuriya or Prakrit 𑀯𑁂𑀭𑀼𑀮𑀺𑀅 (verulia), from Dravidian, probably named after Velur (modern day Belur) in southern India.