[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

sapphire \sap"phire\ ? or ?; 277, n. oe. saphir, f. saphir,
   l. sapphirus, gr. ?, of oriental origin; cf. heb.
   sappimacr.
   1. min. native alumina or aluminium sesquioxide, al2o3;
      corundum; esp., the blue transparent variety of corundum,
      highly prized as a gem.
      1913 webster

            of rubies, sapphires, and of pearl'es white.
                                                  --chaucer.
      1913 webster

   note: sapphire occurs in hexagonal crystals and also in
         granular and massive forms. the name sapphire is
         usually restricted to the blue crystals, while the
         bright red crystals are called oriental rubies see
         under ruby, the amethystine variety oriental
         amethyst see under amethyst, and the dull massive
         varieties corundum a name which is also used as a
         general term to include all varieties. see corundum.
         1913 webster

   2. the color of the gem; bright blue.
      1913 webster

   3. zool. any humming bird of the genus hylocharis, native
      of south america. the throat and breast are usually bright
      blue.
      1913 webster

   star sapphire, or asteriated sapphire min., a kind of
      sapphire which exhibits asterism.
      1913 webster
see also:
al2o3 ruby amethyst corundum hylocharis star sapphire 
asteriated sapphire 

Sapphire >> S Words
Sapphire, definition of term: Sapphire
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Asteriated >> A Words
Asteriated, definition of term: Asteriated
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