/al"euh bas'teuhr, -bah'steuhr/ , n.
1. a finely granular variety of gypsum, often white and translucent, used for ornamental objects or work, such as lamp bases, figurines, etc.
2. Also called Oriental alabaster . a variety of calcite, often banded, used or sold as alabaster.
adj. Also, alabastrine /al'euh bas"trin/ .
3. made of alabaster: an alabaster column.
4. resembling alabaster; smooth and white: her alabaster throat.
[ 1350-1400; alábastros; r. ME alabastre ]