navaratna

See also: navratna

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Sanskrit नवरत्न (navaratna) meaning "nine gems".

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /nɑvɑɹɑtnɑ/

Noun

navaratna (countable and uncountable, plural navaratnas)

1. (India) ruby, emerald, pearl, yellow sapphire, coral, cat's eye, hessonite, blue sapphire and diamond
   • 1998, Tom Flynn, Colonisation and the Object-Empire, Material culture and the Museum:

     Other items in the collection include a navaratna (nine gem) pendant or a celestial talisman from Rajasthan. The nine gems when arranged in a certain order are meant to represent the nine planets. Navaratna is popular throughout India, in the form of pendants, rings and other suites.

2. (India) Nine extraordinary people in an emperor's court.
   • 2016, Amita Sen, Akbar and Birbal-Tales of Wit and Wisdom:

     In later times, some of these men came to be known as Akbar's 'nine gems' or navaratna. One of the most renowned of these navaratnas was a Hindu courtier named Birbal.