alabaster
[ al-uh-bas-ter, -bah-ster ]
/ ˈæl əˌbæs tər, -ˌbɑ stər /
noun
a finely granular variety of gypsum, often white and translucent, used for ornamental objects or work, such as lamp bases, figurines, etc.
Also called Oriental alabaster. a variety of calcite, often banded, used or sold as alabaster.
adjective Also al·a·bas·trine [al-uh-bas-trin] /ˌæl əˈbæs trɪn/.
made of alabaster: an alabaster column.
resembling alabaster; smooth and white: her alabaster throat.
RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
ala., alabama, alabamian, alabamine, alabandite, alabaster, alabastos, alabastron, alabastrum, alacant, alack
Origin of alabaster
1350–1400; < Latin < Greek alábastros; replacing Middle English alabastre < Middle French < Latin
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for alabaster
British Dictionary definitions for alabaster
alabaster
/ (ˈæləˌbɑːstə, -ˌbæstə) /
noun
a fine-grained usually white, opaque, or translucent variety of gypsum used for statues, vases, etc
a variety of hard semitranslucent calcite, often banded like marble
adjective
of or resembling alabaster
Derived Forms
alabastrine, adjectiveWord Origin for alabaster
C14: from Old French alabastre, from Latin alabaster, from Greek alabastros
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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