adamas

"Diamond" is a mutation of the Greek word "adamas," which, for you

Luxist Annie Scott 2010

Gahmuret comes by a helmet of "adamas" "dô schouwet er den adamas: daz was ein helm".

Archive 2009-02-01 a stitch in time 2009

And "adamas" is not so far removed, sound-wise, from "damasch" which would mean damascus steel and that material, also called wootz, was a very good steel, and extremely hard.

Diamonds are for Helmets a stitch in time 2009

Gahmuret comes by a helmet of "adamas" "dô schouwet er den adamas: daz was ein helm".

Diamonds are for Helmets a stitch in time 2009

In Lexer's dictionary, "adamas" is translated as a gemstone, especially diamond, but might also mean a magnet.

Archive 2009-02-01 a stitch in time 2009

I have the middle high german - modern German version by Reclam, and the translation of "adamas" there is always "diamond".

Archive 2009-02-01 a stitch in time 2009

Maybe "adamas" in this context was alluding to, or even meaning, damascus steel?

Archive 2009-02-01 a stitch in time 2009

And I'm wondering about the associations expected from the medieval reader when hearing "adamas" and "helmet" in one breath.

Archive 2009-02-01 a stitch in time 2009

It is delightful to my own personal taste, when reading "adamas" and thinking "damascus steel" which is also a beautiful thing.

Archive 2009-02-01 a stitch in time 2009

And "adamas" is not so far removed, sound-wise, from "damasch" which would mean damascus steel and that material, also called wootz, was a very good steel, and extremely hard.

Archive 2009-02-01 a stitch in time 2009