Dictionary Home »
Dictionary Definitions » alabaster
alabaster
The definition of alabaster is a hard mineral, white in color, smooth to the touch and thin enough to see through.
(noun)- An example of something alabaster are medieval church windows in Italy, which used this hard calcite by cutting it into thin sheets to create beautiful windows.
- An example of something alabaster are creamy white busts carved from the stone.
YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.
See alabaster in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- a translucent, whitish, fine-grained variety of gypsum, used for statues, vases, etc.
- a variety of calcite found esp. in stalactites and stalagmites: it is sometimes streaked or mottled like marble
Origin: ME < OFr alabastre < L alabaster < Gr alabastros, earlier alabastos, vase for perfumes (often made of alabaster), prob. < Egypt *ʼa-labaste, vessel of (the goddess) Bast
adjective
of or like alabaster; esp., smooth and white
Related Forms:
- alabastrine adjective
See alabaster in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A dense translucent, white or tinted fine-grained gypsum.
- A variety of hard calcite, translucent and sometimes banded.
- A pale yellowish pink to yellowish gray.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English alabastre
Origin: , from Old French
Origin: , from Latin alabaster
Origin: , from Greek alabastros, alabastos
Origin: , possibly of Egyptian origin
.Learn more about alabaster
