Definitions for: Alabaster

[n] a very light white
[n] a compact fine-textured usually white gypsum used for carving
[n] a hard compact kind of calcite
[adj] of or resembling alabaster; "alabaster statue"

Webster (1913) Definition: Al"a*bas"ter, n. [L. alabaster, Gr. ?, said to be
derived fr. Alabastron, the name of a town in Egypt, near
which it was common: cf. OF. alabastre, F. alb[^a]tre.]
1. (Min.)
(a) A compact variety or sulphate of lime, or gypsum, of
fine texture, and usually white and translucent, but
sometimes yellow, red, or gray. It is carved into
vases, mantel ornaments, etc.
(b) A hard, compact variety of carbonate of lime, somewhat
translucent, or of banded shades of color; stalagmite.
The name is used in this sense by Pliny. It is
sometimes distinguished as oriental alabaster.

2. A box or vessel for holding odoriferous ointments, etc.;
-- so called from the stone of which it was originally
made. --Fosbroke.

Synonyms: alabastrine, Mexican onyx, onyx marble, oriental alabaster

See Also: calcite, gypsum, white, whiteness

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