from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Beryl \Ber"yl\ (b[e^]r"[i^]l), n. [F. b['e]ryl, OF. beril, L.
beryllus, Gr. bh`ryllos, prob. fr. Skr. vai[dsdot][=u]rya.
Cf. {Brilliant}.] (Min.)
A mineral of great hardness, and, when transparent, of much
beauty. It occurs in hexagonal prisms, commonly of a green or
bluish green color, but also yellow, pink, and white. It is a
silicate of aluminum and beryllium. The {aquamarine} is a
transparent, sea-green variety used as a gem. The {emerald}
is another variety highly prized in jewelry, and
distinguished by its deep color, which is probably due to the
presence of a little oxide of chromium.
[1913 Webster]