sapphire

noun

1. (countable)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.”

2. (countable, uncountable)A white, yellow, or purple variety of corundum, either clear or translucent.
3. (countable, uncountable)A deep blue colour.
4. (countable, uncountable)Azure, when blazoning by precious stones.

   “Elgin. Topaz a Saltier and Chief Ruby, on a Canton Pearl a Lyon Rampant Saphyr, which last is their paternal Coat; […]”

   “3. Saphire, ten Bezants, 4, 3, 2, 1, by the Bisset.”

   “(2) Topaz, a Chief Indented, Saphire.”

   “Topaz, on a Cross, Sapphire, a Crosier thrust through a Mitre, Topaz.”

5. (countable)Any hummingbird in the genera Hylocharis and Chlorestes, as well as the rufous-throated sapphire, which is now in the genus Amazilia.
6. (countable, uncountable)Any of the butterflies in the southern Asian lycaenid genus Heliophorus or the African lycaenid genus Iolaus.
7. 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.”

   “Described as feisty wenches, seductive Jezebels, or loud and angry Sapphires, Black women's public persona has long been dominated by these images.”

adj

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.”

   “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.”

2. pertaining to a 45th year

name

1. A female given name from English from the precious stone.

   “I asked her once how a little girl who didn't have blue eyes ended up being called Sapphire. She pursed her lips for a few seconds, clearly wondering how she could get away with not telling me. 'My older brother is called Mistral,' she said in the end. 'My younger sister is Blaze. I'd say I was the lucky one.' As I say, hippy parents.”

2. A locality in the Inverell council area, north eastern New South Wales, Australia.