Birthstone

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A gemstone that corresponds to the month of an individual's birth is often believed to bring good luck and symbolize their personality traits in various cultures
2. The monthly gemstone associated with a person's birth is thought to offer protection and enhance their innate qualities throughout their life
3. Each month features a specific gem that not only signifies one's birth but is also imbued with special meanings and characteristics linked to that month

Etymology: "Birthstone" is a plain compound: "birth" plus "stone." The "birth" half descends from Old English "gebyrd," and "stone" from Old English "stan," so the word is built entirely from native English materials rather than borrowed from Latin or French. The practice it names, linking a gem to the month someone was born, is older than the compound itself, and the word simply describes that custom in the most direct terms available.

Synonyms: gemstone, jewel