From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Gypsum \Gyp"sum\ (j[i^]p"s[u^]m), n. [L. gypsum, Gr. gy`psos;
cf. Ar. jibs plaster, mortar, Per. jabs[imac]n lime.] (Min.)
A mineral consisting of the hydrous sulphate of lime
(calcium). When calcined, it forms plaster of Paris.
{Selenite} is a transparent, crystalline variety;
{alabaster}, a fine, white, massive variety.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Alabaster \Al"a*bas"ter\, n. [L. alabaster, Gr. 'ala`bastros,
said to be derived fr. Alabastron, the name of a town in
Egypt, near which it was common: cf. OF. alabastre, F.
alb[^a]tre.]
1. (Min.)
(a) A compact variety or sulphate of lime, or gypsum, of
fine texture, and usually white and translucent, but
sometimes yellow, red, or gray. It is carved into
vases, mantel ornaments, etc.
(b) A hard, compact variety of carbonate of lime, somewhat
translucent, or of banded shades of color; stalagmite.
The name is used in this sense by Pliny. It is
sometimes distinguished as oriental alabaster.
[1913 Webster]
2. A box or vessel for holding odoriferous ointments, etc.;
-- so called from the stone of which it was originally
made. --Fosbroke.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
alabaster
adj 1: of or resembling alabaster; "alabaster statue" [syn:
{alabaster}, {alabastrine}]
n 1: a compact fine-textured, usually white gypsum used for
carving
2: a hard compact kind of calcite [syn: {alabaster}, {oriental
alabaster}, {onyx marble}, {Mexican onyx}]
3: a very light white
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