SAPPHIRE


Meaning of SAPPHIRE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈsa-ˌfīr ]

noun

Etymology: Middle English safir, from Anglo-French, from Latin sapphirus, from Greek sappheiros, perhaps of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew sappīr sapphire

Date: 13th century

1.

a. : a gem variety of corundum in transparent or translucent crystals of a color other than red ; especially : one of a transparent rich blue

b. : a gem of such corundum

2. : a deep purplish-blue color

• sapphire adjective

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.