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Webster 1913 Edition
Sapphire
Sap′phire
(? or ?; 277)
, Noun.
[OE.
saphir
, F. saphir
, L. sapphirus
, Gr. [GREEK], of Oriental origin; cf. Heb. sappīr
.] 1.
(Min.)
Native alumina or aluminium sesquioxide,
Al2O3
; corundum; esp., the blue transparent variety of corundum, highly prized as a gem. Of rubies,
sapphires
, and of pearlés 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 color of the gem; bright blue.
3.
(Zool.)
Any humming bird of the genus
Hylocharis
, native of South America. The throat and breast are usually bright blue. Star sapphire
, or
Asteriated sapphire
(Min.)
, a kind of sapphire which exhibits asterism.
Sap′phire
,Adj.
Of or resembling sapphire; sapphirine; blue.
“The sapphire blaze.” Gray.
Webster 1828 Edition
Sapphire
SAP'PHIRE
,Noun.
A species of silicious gems or minerals, of several varieties. In hardness it is inferior to the diamond only. Its colors are blue, red, violet, yellow, green, white, or limpid, and one variety is chatoyant, and another asteriated or radiated.
Sapphire is a subspecies of rhomboidal corundum.
The oriental ruby and topaz are sapphires.
Sapphire is employed in jewelry and the arts.