Alabaster
['æləbɑːstə;-bæstə;,ælə'bɑːstə;-'bæstə] or ['æləbæ
Definition
(noun.) a very light white.
(noun.) a compact fine-textured, usually white gypsum used for carving.
(noun.) a hard compact kind of calcite.
(adj.) of or resembling alabaster; 'alabaster statue' .
Editor: Val--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A compact variety or sulphate of lime, or gypsum, of fine texture, and usually white and translucent, but sometimes yellow, red, or gray. It is carved into vases, mantel ornaments, etc.
(n.) A hard, compact variety of carbonate of lime, somewhat translucent, or of banded shades of color; stalagmite. The name is used in this sense by Pliny. It is sometimes distinguished as oriental alabaster.
(n.) A box or vessel for holding odoriferous ointments, etc.; -- so called from the stone of which it was originally made.
Editor: Maggie
Definition
n. a semi-transparent kind of gypsum or sulphate of lime: the fine limestone deposited as stalagmites and stalactites.—adj. made of alabaster.—adj. Alabas′trian.
Checked by Andrew
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of alabaster, foretells success in marriage and all legitimate affairs. To break an alabaster figure or vessel, denotes sorrow and repentence. For a young woman to lose an alabaster box containing incense, signifies that she will lose her lover or property through carelessness of her reputation.
Checker: Seymour
Examples
- A background and entourage and flooring of deepest crimson threw her out, white like alabaster--like silver: rather, be it said, like Death. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- I think I hear it cry with an articulate voice; I call you up from the cabin; I show you an image, fair as alabaster, emerging from the dim wave. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Great alabaster groups occupied every flat surface, safe from dust under their glass shades. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- Red porphyry --verde antique--jasper--oriental agate--alabaster--mother-of-pearl --chalcedony--red coral--lapis lazuli! Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
Edited by Ellis