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sapphire

Pronunciation: /ˈsafʌɪə/

Translate sapphire | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of sapphire

noun

  • 1a transparent precious stone, typically blue, which is a variety of corundum (aluminium oxide): [as modifier]:a sapphire ring
  • [mass noun] a bright blue colour: [as modifier]:the sapphire blue of the lake there was the slightest flicker of light deep within his sapphire eyes
  • 2a small hummingbird with shining blue or violet colours in its plumage and a short tail.
    • Hylocharis and other genera, family Trochilidae: several species

Derivatives

sapphirine

Pronunciation: /ˈsafɪrʌɪn/

adjective

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French safir, via Latin from Greek sappheiros, probably denoting lapis lazuli

Spelling help

Spell sapphire with a double p, followed by an h.

sapphire in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of sapphire in the US English dictionary

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