jasper

¹

[ jas-per ]

noun

1. a compact, opaque, cryptocrystalline variety of quartz, usually colored red: often used in decorative carvings.
2. Also called jasper ware, a fine, hard stoneware introduced c1775 by Wedgwood, stained various colors by metallic oxides, with raised designs in white.

jasper

²

[ jas-per ]

noun

, Older Slang.

1. a fellow; guy.

Jasper

³

[ jas-per ]

noun

1. a city in NW Alabama.
2. a resort town in SW Alberta, in SW Canada, on the Athabasca River: headquarters for Jasper National Park.
3. a male given name, form of Caspar.

jasper

/ ˈdʒæspə /

noun

1. an opaque impure microcrystalline form of quartz, red, yellow, brown, or dark green in colour, used as a gemstone and for ornamental decoration
2. Also calledjasper ware a dense hard stoneware, invented in 1775 by Wedgwood, capable of being stained throughout its substance with metallic oxides and used as background for applied classical decoration

jasper

/ jăs′pər /

1. A reddish, brown, or yellow variety of chert. Jasper usually occurs in association with iron ores and contains iron impurities that give it its color.

Word History and Origins

Origin of jasper¹

1300–50; Middle English jaspe, jaspre < Middle French; Old French jaspe < Latin iaspis < Greek iáspis < Semitic; compare Arabic yashb

Origin of jasper²

1895–1900, Americanism; special use of proper name Jasper

Word History and Origins

Origin of jasper¹

C14: from Old French jaspe, from Latin jaspis, from Greek iaspis, of Semitic origin; related to Assyrian ashpū, Arabic yashb, Hebrew yāshpheh

Example Sentences

Undergoing cancer treatment may never be easy, but the Jasper digital oncology platform aims to make it more organized.

From Time

The annual bikepacking race takes on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which spans from Jasper, Canada, to Antelope Wells, New Mexico, along the Rocky Mountains.

From Outside Online

Domonique Brown’s Jasper and Layla Weiner’s Amber characters were particularly welcome additions.

From Time

Offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper called Forney “a big, gentle teddy bear” who always had a way of making tough situations better.

From Washington Post

Locals say either of the counties’ two main cities — Covington in Newton, Monticello in Jasper — could be mistaken for Mayberry.

From Washington Post

Tim Krul, the substitute goalie, seemed a good foot taller than Jasper Cillessen, the man he replaced, and much the more daunting.

From The Daily Beast

Jasper Johns stands tall like a figure from The Great Gatsby in a casual suit.

From The Daily Beast

Jasper Johns: Regrets is on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York until September 1, 2014.

From The Daily Beast

“A growl and a shake,” the attorney, Jasper Monti, tells The Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

One justification is that Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel was the real deal.

From The Daily Beast

And I will make thy bulwarks of jasper: and thy gates of graven stones, and all thy borders of desirable stones.

From Project Gutenberg

Red, somewhat slaty jasper, mixed with quartz and chalcedony, and containing specular iron ore.

From Project Gutenberg

Hurry and shave, you know how smooth Jasper Jones' chin always looks, and then straighten up this room.

From Project Gutenberg

Among those who were taking their ease at this suburban inn was Jasper Goodrum, one of my comrades.

From Project Gutenberg

Hard sandstone, trap or graacke, jasper and chalcedony, appear occasionally; some almost transparent.

From Project Gutenberg