noun / adjective
rhinestone
RYNE-stohn/ˈraɪnstəʊn/
An imitation gemstone made of glass or crystal.
Each faceted rhinestone imitates a precious gem in the inexpensive jewelry.
Etymology
The Rhine connection is a place of manufacture: these imitation gems were made near Strasbourg, on the river. Their French name literally meant “Rhine pebble.”
In context
when you have a complete rhinestone shirt you would run into basically cutting your customer base in half
More examples
- She glues colorful rhinestones onto a plain picture frame.
- One rhinestone has fallen out of the bracelet.
- His rhinestone jacket catches the stage lights.
Forms
rhinestone · rhinestones
Similar words
- paste
- Usually refers collectively to glass made to imitate gemstones.
- imitation gem
- Broader term that also includes gems made from other materials.