[ 'safʌɪə ]
■ noun
1》 a transparent precious stone, typically blue, which is a form of corundum.
2》 a bright blue colour.
3》 a hummingbird with shining blue or violet plumage. [ Hylocharis and other genera.]
Derivatives
sapphirine 'safɪrʌɪn adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr. safir , via L. from Gk sappheiros , prob. denoting lapis lazuli.