Also see definition of "sapphire" in Bible Study Dictionaries
Word Study
sapphire
CIDE DICTIONARY
sapphire, n. [OE. saphir, F. saphir, L. sapphirus, Gr. , of Oriental origin; cf. Heb. sappīr.].
- Native alumina or aluminium sesquioxide,
Al2O3 ; corundum; esp., the blue transparent variety of corundum, highly prized as a gem. [1913 Webster]" Sapphire occurs in hexagonal crystals and also in granular and massive forms. The name sapphire is usually restricted to the blue crystals, while the bright red crystals are called Oriental rubies (see underRuby ), the amethystine variety Oriental amethyst (see underAmethyst ), and the dull massive varieties corundum (a name which is also used as a general term to include all varieties). SeeCorundum ." [1913 Webster]"Of rubies, sapphires, and of pearlés white." [1913 Webster] - The color of the gem; bright blue. [1913 Webster]
- Any humming bird of the genus
Hylocharis , native of South America. The throat and breast are usually bright blue. [1913 Webster]
sapphire, a.
Of or resembling sapphire; sapphirine; blue. Gray. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
sapphire, n. & adj.
--n.
1 a transparent blue precious stone consisting of corundum.
2 precious transparent corundum of any colour.
3 the bright blue of a sapphire.
4 a humming-bird with bright blue colouring.
--adj. of sapphire blue.
--n.
1 a transparent blue precious stone consisting of corundum.
2 precious transparent corundum of any colour.
3 the bright blue of a sapphire.
4 a humming-bird with bright blue colouring.
--adj. of sapphire blue.
Idiom
sapphire wedding a 45th wedding anniversary.
Derivative
sapphirine adj.
Etymology
ME f. OF safir f. L sapphirus f. Gk sappheiros prob. = lapis lazuli
THESAURUS
sapphire
adamant, agate, alexandrite, amethyst, aquamarine, azure, azure-blue, azure-colored, azurean, azured, azureous, beryl, beryl-blue, berylline, bloodstone, blue, bluish, brilliant, carbuncle, carnelian, cerulean, ceruleous, cerulescent, chalcedony, chrysoberyl, chrysolite, citrine, coral, cyanean, dark-blue, deep-blue, demantoid, diamond, emerald, garnet, girasol, harlequin opal, heliotrope, hyacinth, jade, jadestone, jargoon, jasper, lapis lazuli, light-blue, lightish-blue, livid, moonstone, morganite, onyx, opal, pavonian, pavonine, peacock-blue, peridot, plasma, rose quartz, ruby, sapphirine, sard, sardonyx, sky-blue, sky-colored, sky-dyed, spinel, spinel ruby, topaz, turquoiseROGET THESAURUS
sapphire
Jewelry
N jewel, jewelry, jewellery, bijoutry, bijou, bijouterie, trinket, fine jewelry, costume jewelry, junk jewelry, gem, gemstone, precious stone, necklace, bracelet, anklet, earring, locket, pendant, charm bracelet, ring, pinky ring, carcanet, chain, chatelaine, broach, pin, lapel pin, torque, diamond, brilliant, rock, beryl, emerald, chalcedony, agate, heliotrope, girasol, girasole, onyx, plasma, sard, sardonyx, garnet, lapis lazuli, opal, peridot, tourmaline, chrysolite, sapphire, ruby, synthetic ruby, spinel, spinelle, balais, oriental, oriental topaz, turquois, turquoise, zircon, cubic zirconia, jacinth, hyacinth, carbuncle, amethyst, alexandrite, cat's eye, bloodstone, hematite, jasper, moonstone, sunstone, pearl, cultured pearl, fresh-water pearl, mother of pearl, coral, jeweler, gemologist, minerologist, lapidary, lapidarian, gemology, gemmology, minerology, bejeweled, diamond, (gemstones), gemological.Blueness
N blueness, blue, garter-blue, watchet, ultramarine, smalt, cobalt, cyanogen, Prussian blue, syenite blue, bice, indigo, zaffer, lapis lazuli, sapphire, turquoise, indicolite, blueness, bluishness, bloom, blue, azure, cerulean, sky-blue, sky-colored, sky-dyed, cerulescent, powder blue, bluish, atmospheric, retiring, cold.Also see definition of "sapphire" in Bible Study Dictionaries
For further exploring for "sapphire" in Webster Dictionary Online