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