'Rubies' definitions:

Definition of 'Rubies'

From: GCIDE

Ruby \Ru"by\, n.; pl. Rubies. [F. rubis (cf. Pr. robi), LL. rubinus, robinus, fr. L. rubeus red, reddish, akin to ruber. See Rouge, red.]
1. (Min.) A precious stone of a carmine red color, sometimes verging to violet, or intermediate between carmine and hyacinth red. It is a red crystallized variety of corundum. [1913 Webster]
Note: Besides the true or Oriental ruby above defined, there are the balas ruby, or ruby spinel, a red variety of spinel, and the rock ruby, a red variety of garnet. [1913 Webster]
Of rubies, sapphires, and pearles white. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
2. The color of a ruby; carmine red; a red tint. [1913 Webster]
The natural ruby of your cheeks. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
3. That which has the color of the ruby, as red wine. Hence, a red blain or carbuncle. [1913 Webster]
4. (Print.) See Agate, n., 2. [Eng.] [1913 Webster]
5. (Zool.) Any species of South American humming birds of the genus Clytolaema. The males have a ruby-colored throat or breast. [1913 Webster]
Ruby of arsenic, Ruby of sulphur (Chem.), a glassy substance of a red color and a variable composition, but always consisting chiefly of the disulphide of arsenic; -- called also ruby sulphur.
Ruby of zinc (Min.), zinc sulphide; the mineral zinc blende or sphalerite.
Ruby silver (Min.), red silver. See under Red. [1913 Webster]