any gem variety of corundum other than the ruby, especially one of the blue varieties.
a gem of this kind.
the color of this gem, a deep blue.
adjective
resembling sapphire; deep blue: a sapphire sky.
Origin of sapphire
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English saphir(e), saph(i)er, from Old French safir(e), saffir, saffer, from Latin sapphīrus, sappīrus, from Greek sáppheiros, perhaps “lapis lazuli, lazurite, sapphire,” probably from Semitic (compare Hebrew sappīr, and probably a loanword in Semitic); sappīr and related Semitic forms perhaps come from Sanskrit śanipuriya “dear to (the planet) Saturn,” equivalent to Śani “(the planet) Saturn” + priyá- “dear”; further origin uncertain
With a short amount of time to explore one of the country’s most popular parks, I made my visit a quest to discover as many gleaming sapphire tarns as I could during my stay.
Alpine Lake Spotting at Rocky Mountain National Park|Emily Pennington|October 16, 2020|Outside Online
His highly acclaimed, and highly controversial, 2009 film, Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire, is a case in point.
Lee Daniels: Cannes Film Festival’s Mischief Maker|Richard Porton|May 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
“In my original notes I had that Precious would have a baby girl, then here comes this boy,” Sapphire says with a laugh.
Precious' Son Returns in New Sapphire Novel|Jennie Yabroff|July 9, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Sapphire says that had she not already finished much of The Kid, the criticism would have “stopped me dead in my tracks.”
Precious' Son Returns in New Sapphire Novel|Jennie Yabroff|July 9, 2011|DAILY BEAST
“The logical or realistic way this story would end up would be total disaster,” says Sapphire.
Precious' Son Returns in New Sapphire Novel|Jennie Yabroff|July 9, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Instead, for his second directorial effort, he chose the novel Push by Sapphire.
The Journey Behind Precious|Stephen Farber|October 18, 2009|DAILY BEAST
She knew if it were his moment it would be hers, too, as long as she had the sapphire upon her.
The Coast of Chance|Esther Chamberlain
As found native it is called corundum, when crystallized ruby or sapphire, when amorphous emery.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 1|Various
The soft breezes and warm sunshine rendered fans unnecessary, and the bay was a sheet of sapphire and gold.
A Changed Heart|May Agnes Fleming
The water, which outside is pure as sapphire, has become filthy with the pollutions of a dozen generations.
The English in the West Indies|James Anthony Froude
Thus the ruby and sapphire are essentially identical in chemical composition and in all physical characters, save colour.
any precious corundum gemstone that is not red, esp the highly valued transparent blue variety. A synthetic form is used in electronics and precision apparatus. Formula: Al 2 O 3
(as modifier)a sapphire ring
the blue colour of sapphire
(as adjective)sapphire eyes
Word Origin for sapphire
C13 safir, from Old French, from Latin sapphīrus, from Greek sappheiros, perhaps from Hebrew sappīr, ultimately perhaps from Sanskrit śanipriya, literally: beloved of the planet Saturn, from śani Saturn + priya beloved
A clear, fairly pure form of the mineral corundum that is usually blue but may be any color except red. It often contains small amounts of oxides of cobalt, chromium, and titanium and is valued as a gem. Compare ruby.