Sapphire has 8 different meanings across 3 categories:
Noun · Adjective · Proper Noun
a precious transparent stone of rich blue corundum valued as a gemstone
"The sapphire in her engagement ring sparkled brilliantly under the sunlight."
a transparent piece of sapphire that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
"The jeweler displayed a stunning blue sapphire in its new setting."
A clear deep blue variety of corundum, valued as a precious stone.
"The term sapphire was used in that era to describe a black woman who was perceived as overly assertive and confrontational toward white people."
A stereotype of an aggressive and domineering black woman.
In plain English: A sapphire is a precious blue gemstone that people often cut into fancy shapes for jewelry.
"He gave her a sapphire ring for her twenty-fifth birthday."
Usage: Sapphire refers specifically to the deep blue gemstone form of corundum and should not be used interchangeably with other colored varieties like ruby or yellow sapphire unless those are explicitly qualified. It is often confused in casual speech when people refer to any bright blue object, but technically only this specific mineral fits that description.
of a deep blue colour.
"The sapphire eyes of the bird shone like polished gemstones in the sunlight."
A female given name from English from the precious stone.
"My friend named her daughter Sapphire after her favorite gemstone."
The word sapphire comes from the Latin sapphir and Ancient Greek sappheiros, both meaning "precious stone." Its ultimate origin is a Semitic language like Hebrew, where it referred to lapis lazuli.