A variant spelling of corundum, the crystalline mineral form of aluminum oxide, including rubies and sapphires.
From Tamil 'kurundam,' entered English through Sanskrit and Persian trade languages, the word traveled westward along ancient spice routes into European languages.
Corundum is literally the second-hardest natural substance on Earth after diamond—rubies and sapphires are just corundum colored by tiny impurities, yet worth millions because they're so rare and beautiful!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.