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 such as Hebrew סַפִּיר (sappī́r, “lapis lazuli”), originally from Assyrian Akkadian šipirtu (“lapis lazuli”).
1
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 March 23, Lee A. Groat, “Gemstones”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 14 Jun 2012, page 128:
2
A white, yellow, or purple variety of corundum, either clear or translucent.
Elgin. Topaz a Saltier and Chief Ruby, on a Canton Pearl a Lyon Rampant Saphyr, which last is their paternal Coat; […]1720, Francis Nichols, Rudiments of Honour, page 296:
3. Saphire, ten Bezants, 4, 3, 2, 1, by the Bisset.1726, John Guillim, The Banner Display'd; Or, an Abridgment of Guillim, page 504:
2 more examples
(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
Any hummingbird in the genera Hylocharis and Chlorestes, as well as the rufous-throated sapphire, which is now in the genus Amazilia.
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Any of the butterflies in the southern Asian lycaenid genus Heliophorus or the African lycaenid genus Iolaus.
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 such as Hebrew סַפִּיר (sappī́r, “lapis lazuli”), originally from Assyrian Akkadian šipirtu (“lapis lazuli”).
1
of a deep blue colour.
At about eleven, we uncaged our pigeons, who flew away into the sapphire sky that hung like a sail from the white peaks.1927, Dhan Gopal Mukerji, Gay-Neck, the Story of a Pigeon, E.P. Dutton & Co., page 33:
They awoke to panoramic views of a national park's tropical forests, the Gulf of Paria's shallows and the Caribbean's sparkling sapphire waters.2025 November 8, The Associated Press, “Trump says boat crews are narco-terrorists. The truth is more nuanced, AP finds”, in NPR:
2
pertaining to a 45th year
Derived terms
sapphire anniversary, sapphire jubilee
Related terms
Sapphire
Sapphire
noun
1
A stereotype of an aggressive and domineering black woman.
When black women speak up about indignities, they are Sapphires. When black women stand up for their rights, they are Sapphires.2010, C. Henderson, Imagining the Black Female Body:
Described as feisty wenches, seductive Jezebels, or loud and angry Sapphires, Black women's public persona has long been dominated by these images.2019, Marquita M. Gammage, Antwanisha Alameen-Shavers, Challenging Misrepresentations of Black Womanhood: