An archaic or alternative spelling of emerald, the precious gemstone known for its green color.
From Old French emeraude (modern French émeraude), which came from Latin smaragdus via Greek. This older spelling preserves the French pronunciation and was used in English before 'emerald' standardized.
Emeraude appears in medieval English texts and older literature, showing how English was still borrowing and adapting French vocabulary centuries after the Norman Conquest—it's frozen French-English in written form.
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