Sapphire \Sap"phire\ (? or ?; 277), n. [OE. saphir, F. saphir,
   L. sapphirus, Gr. ?, of Oriental origin; cf. Heb.
   sapp[imac]r.]
   1. (Min.) Native alumina or aluminium sesquioxide, Al2O3;
      corundum; esp., the blue transparent variety of corundum,
      highly prized as a gem.
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            Of rubies, sapphires, and of pearl['e]s white.
                                                  --Chaucer.
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   Note: Sapphire occurs in hexagonal crystals and also in
         granular and massive forms. The name sapphire is
         usually restricted to the blue crystals, while the
         bright red crystals are called Oriental rubies (see
         under Ruby), the amethystine variety Oriental
         amethyst (see under Amethyst), and the dull massive
         varieties corundum (a name which is also used as a
         general term to include all varieties). See Corundum.
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   2. The color of the gem; bright blue.
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   3. (Zool.) Any humming bird of the genus Hylocharis, native
      of South America. The throat and breast are usually bright
      blue.
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   Star sapphire, or Asteriated sapphire (Min.), a kind of
      sapphire which exhibits asterism.
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