alabastrum
noun
al·a·bas·trum
ˌa-lə-ˈba-strəm
variants or alabastron or alabastos
ˌa-lə-ˈba-ˌsträn,
-strən
ˌa-lə-ˈba-ˌstäs,
-stəs
plural alabastra
ˌa-lə-ˈba-strə
or alabastrums or alabastrons : an ancient Greek or Roman jar for oils, ointments, or perfumes having a flattened lip with narrow orifice and an elongated body rounded at the bottom
Word History
Etymology
Latin & Greek; Latin alabastrum, from Greek alabastron, alabastos
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above