alabaster

al·a·bas·ter

noun \ˈa-lə-ˌbas-tər\

Definition of ALABASTER

1

: a compact fine-textured usually white and translucent gypsum often carved into vases and ornaments

2

: a hard calcite or aragonite that is translucent and sometimes banded

— alabaster or al·a·bas·trine \ˌa-lə-ˈbas-trən\ adjective

Origin of ALABASTER

Middle English alabastre, from Anglo-French albastre, from Latin alabaster vase of alabaster, from Greek alabastros

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Mineralogy Terms

agate, host, inclusion, matrix, streak

Rhymes with ALABASTER

burgomaster, cellar master, China aster, concertmaster, criticaster, ghetto blaster, harbormaster, mustard plaster, oleaster, overmaster, poetaster, quartermaster, stationmaster, telecaster, wagon master, weathercaster, Zoroaster