Dictionary-Definition.com :: Sapphire definition

Definition of 'sapphire'

adjective

Of something having the color of a blue sapphire; "sapphire eyes"

noun

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

noun

A transparent piece of sapphire that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

noun

A light shade of blue [syn: azure, cerulean, sapphire, lazuline, sky-blue]

From: GCIDE

Sapphire \Sap"phire\ (? or ?; 277), n. [OE. saphir, F. saphir, L. sapphirus, Gr. ?, of Oriental origin; cf. Heb. sapp[imac]r.]
1. (Min.) Native alumina or aluminium sesquioxide, Al2O3; corundum; esp., the blue transparent variety of corundum, highly prized as a gem. [1913 Webster]
Of rubies, sapphires, and of pearl['e]s white. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
Note: 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. [1913 Webster]
2. The color of the gem; bright blue. [1913 Webster]
3. (Zool.) Any humming bird of the genus Hylocharis, native of South America. The throat and breast are usually bright blue. [1913 Webster]
Star sapphire, or Asteriated sapphire (Min.), a kind of sapphire which exhibits asterism. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Sapphire \Sap"phire\, a. Of or resembling sapphire; sapphirine; blue. "The sapphire blaze." --Gray. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Corundum \Co*run"dum\ (k[-o]*r[u^]n"d[u^]m), n.; pl. Corundums (k[-o]*r[u^]n"d[u^]mz). [Also corindon.] [From Hind. kurand corundum stone.] (Min.) The mineral alumina (Al2O3), as found native in a crystalline state. Transparent varieties are used as gemstones, including sapphire, which is the fine blue variety; the oriental ruby, or red sapphire; the {oriental amethyst}, or purple sapphire; and adamantine spar, the hair-brown variety. It is the hardest substance found native, next to the diamond. [1913 Webster +PJC]
Note: The name corundum is sometimes restricted to the non-transparent or coarser kinds. Emery is a dark-colored granular variety, usually admixed with magnetic iron ore. [1913 Webster]

Sapphire Associated with diamonds (Ex. 28:18) and emeralds (Ezek. 28:13); one of the stones in the high priest's breastplate. It is a precious stone of a sky-blue colour, probably the lapis lazuli, brought from Babylon. The throne of God is described as of the colour of a sapphire (Ex. 24:10; comp. Ezek. 1:26).