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koh-i-noor

noun, often capitalized
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\ ˈkōəˌnu̇(ə)r \
plural koh-i-noors

Definition of koh-i-noor

: 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

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History and Etymology for koh-i-noor

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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Cite this Entry

“Koh-i-noor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/koh-i-noor. Accessed 5 Mar. 2021.

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