sapphire Hear it!

sapphire definition

sap·phire (saf′īr)

noun

  1. a clear, deep-blue variety of corundum, valued as a precious stone
  2. its color
    1. a translucent or transparent variety of corundum, varying in color
    2. a gem made of this white, yellow, and purple sapphires

Etymology: ME < OFr saphir < L sapphirus < Gr sappheiros < Heb sapir < Sans śanipriya, lit., dear to Saturn < Śaniḥ, Saturn (the planet) + priya, beloved < IE *prī-, var. of base *prēi-, to love > friend

adjective

deep-blue

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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