释义 |
alabaster /ˈaləbɑːstə / /ˈaləbastə/ /ˌaləˈbɑːstə / /ˌaləˈbastə/noun [mass noun]A translucent form of gypsum or calcite, typically white, often carved into ornaments.The stones used include red jasper, white oriental alabaster, yellow chalcedony, and green gabbro....- An example is in site 31, an alabaster locality: no mention is made that alabaster is a fine-grained, compact variety of the mineral gypsum except in the glossary in the back of the book.
- The screen was innovatory in its use of classical architectural forms, their realization in black marble and white alabaster, and in the profusion of Italianate figure sculpture and reliefs.
adjective1Made of alabaster: the gilded alabaster tomb of Sir Anthony Browne...- The alabaster wall tomb that Chanterene created for the Archbishop of Évora is his most classical work, with a simplified architectural setting and the elimination of ornate decoration.
- His eyes were as black as his blade, while his skin was as pale as an alabaster angel.
- Transported across the entire Eurasian continent is a white alabaster sculpture titled " The Kiss " by Auguste Rodin.
1.1 literary Like alabaster in whiteness and smoothness: her alabaster cheeks flushed with warmth...- In the early morning light he'd step outside for a breath of air, paying no more attention to his needs than a dust mite, the colors of his canvas smeared across wizened, alabaster cheeks.
- The lash came out, and caught the boy on his alabaster cheek.
- she asked, her smooth alabaster brow furrowing.
Derivativesalabastrine /-ˈbɑːstrɪn/ /-ˈbastrɪn/ /-ʌɪn/ adjective ( archaic) OriginLate Middle English: via Old French from Latin alabaster, alabastrum, from Greek alabastos, alabastros. |