jade

¹

[ jeyd ]

noun

1. either of two minerals, jadeite or nephrite, sometimes green, highly esteemed as an ornamental stone for carvings, jewelry, etc.
2. an object, as a carving, made from this material.
3. Also called jade green. green, varying from bluish green to yellowish green.

jade

²

[ jeyd ]

noun

1. a worn-out, broken-down, worthless, or vicious horse.
2. a disreputable or ill-tempered woman.

verb (used with or without object)

, jad·ed, jad·ing.

1. to make or become dull, worn-out, or weary, as from overwork or overuse.

jade

¹

/ dʒeɪd /

noun

1. 1. a semiprecious stone consisting of either jadeite or nephrite. It varies in colour from white to green and is used for making ornaments and jewellery
   2. ( as modifier )

      jade ornaments

2. 1. the green colour of jade
   2. ( as modifier )

      a jade skirt

jade

²

/ dʒeɪd /

noun

1. an old overworked horse; nag; hack
2. derogatory.
   a woman considered to be ill-tempered or disreputable

verb

1. to exhaust or make exhausted from work or use

jade

/ jād /

1. A hard gemstone that is pale green or white and consists either of the mineral jadeite (a pyroxene) or the mineral nephrite (an amphibole). It usually forms within metamorphic rocks.

Derived Forms

• ˈjadeˌlike, adjective
• ˈjadishly, adverb
• ˈjadish, adjective
• ˈjadishness, noun

Other Words From

• jade·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jade¹

1585–95; < French < Italian giada < obsolete Spanish ( piedra de ) ijada (stone of ) colic < Vulgar Latin *iliata, equivalent to Latin īli ( a ) flanks ( ilium ) + -ata -ate ¹; so called because supposed to cure nephritic colic

Origin of jade²

1350–1400; Middle English; of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of jade¹

C18: from French, from Italian giada, from obsolete Spanish piedra de ijada colic stone (literally: stone of the flank, because it was believed to cure renal colic); ijada, from Vulgar Latin īliata (unattested) flanks, from Latin īlia, plural of īlium; see ileum

Origin of jade²

C14: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Betty represents tangible reality while Norma embodies seductive illusion in a musical that dramatizes the unfair fight between them for Joe’s jaded soul.

From Los Angeles Times

It has two plazas with temple pyramids, where Mayans would have worshipped, hidden treasures like jade masks and buried their dead.

From BBC

They said it was an example of why some people had become "jaded" with Instagram.

From BBC

“Chinese people tend to keep some valuable jewellery especially pieces made of gold, silver, jade, believed to hold protective powers,” Shen explains.

From BBC

When even the most hardened political observers are becoming jaded, Martin, who does have her cynical days, is fascinated by the intricacies of power.

From Los Angeles Times