Question 1 · Quick check
sapphire
CEFRC2
/ˈsæf.aɪ̯ə/
noun
Türkçe translations
Translating…
In plain English
- 01
noun
A valuable gemstone that is usually bright or dark blue.
- 02
noun
Extra detailA deep blue colour.
Examples
I have to change the sapphire of my phonograph.
Sapphire is the blue form of corundum.
At a glance
Sits at C2 on the CEFR scale
- Senses
- 5
- Parts of speech
- 1
- Citations
- 5
Deep Dive
noun
Extra meaningsA white, yellow, or purple variety of corundum, either clear or translucent.
A clear deep blue variety of corundum, valued as a precious stone.
Any hummingbird in the genera Hylocharis and Chlorestes, as well as the rufous-throated sapphire, which is now in the genus Amazilia.
More examples
In contextElgin. Topaz a Saltier and Chief Ruby, on a Canton Pearl a Lyon Rampant Saphyr, which last is their paternal Coat; […]
Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are diamond, ruby and sapphire, emerald and other gem forms of the mineral beryl, chrysoberyl, tanzanite, tsavorite, topaz and jade.
At about eleven, we uncaged our pigeons, who flew away into the sapphire sky that hung like a sail from the white peaks.
Quick test
Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.
Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.
Nearby
Origin
noun
From Middle English saphir, from Old French saphir, from Latin sapphir, sappir, sapphīrus, from Ancient Greek σάπφειρος (sáppheiros, “precious stone, gem”), from a Semitic language such as Hebrew סַפִּיר (sappī́r, “lapis lazuli”), originally from Assyrian Akkadian šipirtu (“lapis lazuli”).