alabaster

Definition

A fine-grained white or lightly-tinted variety of gypsum, used ornamentally.

Etymology

From Middle English alabastre, from Old French alabastre, from Latin alabaster (“box for perfumes or unguents”), from Ancient Greek ἀλάβαστρος (alábastros), from earlier ἀλάβαστος (alábastos, “vase without handles for storing perfumes”). This may further derive from Egyptian ꜥj-r-bꜣstjt (“vessel of the Egyptian goddess Bast”). The Latin suffix -aster is unrelated, but may have influenced the spelling of the borrowing from Ancient Greek (whence a direct loan could have been rendered as *alabastrus).

Example Sentences

• "Why ſhould a man whoſe bloud is warme within, Sit like his Grandſire, cut in Alabaſter?"
• "Nor was the flame dissevered from its ribbon But like a radiant fillet ran along So that fire seemed it behind alabaster."
• "One of the striking relics found at the tomb, was a Canopic portrait head of Queen Tii, made entirely of alabaster except the eyes and eyebrows, which were inlaid lapis lazuli and osidian."