Diʹamond
.A corruption of adamant. So called because the diamond, which cuts other substances, can be cut or polished with no substance but itself. (Greek, a damao, what cannot be subdued. Latin, adamas, gen. adamant-is; French, diamant.)
Diʹamond (3 syl.). Son of Agʹapë, a fairy. He was very strong, and fought either on foot or horse with a battle-axe. He was slain in single combat by Camʹbalo. (See Triamond.) (Spenser: Faërie Queene, book iv.)
A diamond of the first water. A man of the highest merit. The colour or lustre of a pearl or diamond is called its “water.” One of the “first water” is one of the best colour and most brilliant lustre. We say also, “A man of the first water.”
