Definition of Sapphire

1. Noun. A precious transparent stone of rich blue corundum valued as a gemstone.

Generic synonyms: Corundom, Corundum, Transparent Gem
Specialized synonyms: Star Sapphire

2. Adjective. Of something having the color of a blue sapphire. "Sapphire eyes"
Similar to: Chromatic

3. Noun. A transparent piece of sapphire that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem.
Generic synonyms: Gem, Jewel, Precious Stone

4. Noun. A light shade of blue.
Exact synonyms: Azure, Cerulean, Lazuline, Sky-blue
Generic synonyms: Blue, Blueness
Derivative terms: Azure, Azure, Cerulean

Definition of Sapphire

1. n. Native alumina or aluminium sesquioxide, Al2O3; corundum; esp., the blue transparent variety of corundum, highly prized as a gem.

2. a. Of or resembling sapphire; sapphirine; blue.

Definition of Sapphire

1. Proper noun. (English female given name) from the precious stone. ¹

2. Noun. a clear deep blue variety of corundum, valued as a precious stone. ¹

3. Noun. a white, yellow, or purple variety of corundum, either clear or translucent. ¹

4. Noun. a deep blue colour. ¹

5. Noun. a type of South American hummingbird. ¹

6. Adjective. of a deep blue colour. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Sapphire

1. a blue gem [n -S]

Medical Definition of Sapphire

1. 1. Native alumina or aluminium sesquioxide, Al2O3; corundum; especially, the blue transparent variety of corundum, highly prized as a gem. "of rubies, sapphires, and of pearles white." (Chaucer) 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 under Ruby), the amethystine variety Oriental amethyst (see under Amethyst), and the dull massive varieties corundum (a name which is also used as a general term to include all varieties). See Corundum. 2. The colour of the gem; bright blue. 3. Any humming bird of the genus Hylocharis, native of South America. The throat and breast are usually bright blue. Star sapphire, or Asteriated sapphire, a kind of sapphire which exhibits asterism. Origin: OE. Saphir, F. Saphir, L. Sapphirus, Gr, of Oriental origin; cf. Heb. Sappir. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Sapphire

sapotas
sapote
sapotes
sapour
sapours
sappan
sappans
sappare
sapped
sapper
sappers
sapphically
sapphics
sapphire (current term)
sapphire berry
sapphirelike
sapphires
sapphirine
sapphirines
sapphisms
sapphists
sappho
sapphyrin
sapphyrins
sappier
sappiest

Literary usage of Sapphire

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The American Cyclopaedia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge edited by George Ripley, Charles Anderson Dana (1883)
"It receives different names according to the color, the red sapphire being the oriental ruby ; the amethystine, the oriental amethyst ; the yellow, ..."

2. Cases Argued and Adjudged in the Supreme Court of the United States by United States Supreme Court, John William Wallace (1909)
"THE sapphire. 1. A foreign sovereign can bring a civil suit in the courts of ... The case was one of collision between the American ship sapphire and the ..."

3. Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Standard Work of Reference in Art, Literature (1907)
"sapphire, a blue transparent variety of corundum or native alumina. ... It often happens that a crystal of sapphire is particolored, and hence a fine cut ..."

4. The Carolina Mountains by Margaret Warner Morley (1913)
"XXV THE sapphire COUNTRY THE romantic name of this region is said to have been given to it because of the prevailing color of the sky and the waters. ..."

5. The American Cyclopaedia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge edited by George Ripley, Charles Anderson Dana (1883)
"It receives different names according to the color, the red sapphire being the oriental ruby ; the amethystine, the oriental amethyst ; the yellow, ..."

6. Cases Argued and Adjudged in the Supreme Court of the United States by United States Supreme Court, John William Wallace (1909)
"THE sapphire. 1. A foreign sovereign can bring a civil suit in the courts of ... The case was one of collision between the American ship sapphire and the ..."

7. Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Standard Work of Reference in Art, Literature (1907)
"sapphire, a blue transparent variety of corundum or native alumina. ... It often happens that a crystal of sapphire is particolored, and hence a fine cut ..."

8. The Carolina Mountains by Margaret Warner Morley (1913)
"XXV THE sapphire COUNTRY THE romantic name of this region is said to have been given to it because of the prevailing color of the sky and the waters. ..."

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