sapphire

Etymology

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 (compare Hebrew סַפִּיר (sappī́r)), perhaps ultimately from a non-Semitic source such as Sanskrit शनिप्रिय (śanipriya, “dark-colored stone”, literally “dear to Saturn”).

noun

1. (countable) A clear deep blue variety of corundum, valued as a precious stone.
   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. 2012-03, Lee A. Groat, “Gemstones”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 2012-06-14, page 128
2. (countable and uncountable) A white, yellow, or purple variety of corundum, either clear or translucent.
3. (countable and uncountable) A deep blue colour.
   sapphire:
4. (heraldry) Azure, when blazoning by precious stones.
   Elgin. Topaz a Saltier and Chief Ruby, on a Canton Pearl a Lyon Rampant Saphyr, which last is their paternal Coat; and the Field Topaz, and Saltier, and Chief Ruby, was the Arms of King Robert the Bruce, they altering the Field from Pearl (as he bore it) to Topaz. / Eglington. Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Saphyr three Flower-de-Liss Topaz, for Montgomery; 2d and 3d, Ruby three Anulets Topaz, ston'd Saphyr', for the Title of Eglington; all within a Border of the 2d, charg'd with a Double Tressure of the 3d, for the Name of Seaton he being descended of that Family … 1720, Francis Nichols, Rudiments of Honour, page 296
   3. Saphire, ten Bezants, 4, 3, 2, 1, by the Bisset. 4. Pearl, on a Bend Diamond, nine Annulets conjoined in three Links Topaz. 5. Ruby, on a Cross Pearl, five Cinkfoils of the first. 6. Checkie Topaz and Saphire, a Fesse within a Bordure Ruby, by the Name of Clifford. 7. Saphire, two Lioncels passant guardant Pearl, crowned Topaz. 1726, John Guillim, The Banner Display'd; Or, an Abridgment of Guillim, page 504
   (2) Topaz, a Chief Indented, Saphire. 1754, John Lodge, The Peerage of Ireland; Or, a Genealogical History of the ..., page 71
   Topaz, on a Cross, Sapphire, a Crosier thrust through a Mitre, Topaz. 1756, Francis Nichols, The Irish Compendium, Or, Rudiments of Honour, Containing the Descent, Marriage, Isssue, Titles, Posts, and Seats, of All the Nobility of Ireland..., page 440
5. (countable) Any hummingbird in the genera Hylocharis and Chlorestes, as well as the rufous-throated sapphire, which is now in the genus Amazilia.
6. Any of the butterflies in the southern Asian lycaenid genus Heliophorus or the African lycaenid genus Iolaus.

adj

1. of a deep blue colour.
2. pertaining to a 45th year