alabaster

[ al-uh-bas-ter, -bah-ster ]

noun

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.

adjective

1. made of alabaster:

   an alabaster column.

2. resembling alabaster; smooth and white:

   her alabaster throat.

alabaster

/ -ˌbæstə; ˈæləˌbɑːstə /

noun

1. a fine-grained usually white, opaque, or translucent variety of gypsum used for statues, vases, etc
2. a variety of hard semitranslucent calcite, often banded like marble

adjective

1. of or resembling alabaster

Derived Forms

• ˌalaˈbastrine, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alabaster¹

1350–1400; < Latin < Greek alábastros; replacing Middle English alabastre < Middle French < Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of alabaster¹

C14: from Old French alabastre, from Latin alabaster, from Greek alabastros

Example Sentences

See also the vignette on title page, copied from an alabaster slab in the Collegio Romano, originally from the Catacombs.

From Project Gutenberg

This day Mrs. Russell did give my wife a very fine St. George, in alabaster, which will set out my wife's closett mightily.

From Project Gutenberg

Round the chapel, known as the Dean's Chapel, there was a fine copper railing decorated with small alabaster figures.

From Project Gutenberg

The form stretched its lovely arms, white as alabaster, and presently the hands rubbed a pair of sleepy eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

An elegant monument of alabaster, with a bust of Pepys, taken from his portrait in the National Gallery, was unveiled in 1884.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• porcelain