koh-i-noor

noun

ˈkōəˌnu̇(ə)r
plural koh-i-noors
often capitalized
: something that is or is felt to be the best of its kind
especially : a usually large and valuable diamond
a young Spaniard with a Koh-i-noor of a diamond on his finger and pearls the size of camphor balls in his shirt front —W. J. Locke

Word History

Etymology

from Koh-i-noor, famous diamond that became part of the British crown jewels after the annexation of Punjab by Great Britain in 1849, from Persian Kōh-i-nūr, literally, mountain of light

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Dictionary Entries Near koh-i-noor

Kohima

koh-i-noor

Kohistani

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Koh-i-noor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/koh-i-noor. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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