sapphire Meaning, Definition & Usage

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
azure; sky-blue; lazuline; cerulean.
adjective satellite of something having the color of a blue sapphire
- sapphire eyes

OE. saphir, F. saphir, L. sapphirus, Gr. , of Oriental origin; cf. Heb. sappir.

(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.
The color of the gem; bright blue.
(Zoöl.) Any humming bird of the genus Hylocharis, native of South America. The throat and breast are usually bright blue.