sapphire: [13] Sapphire can be traced back through Old French safir and Latin sapphīrus to Greek sáppheiros (which seems to have denoted ‘lapis lazuli’, another blue stone), but beyond that its origins are uncertain. It may have been acquired via a Semitic language (Hebrew has sappir), but it has been suggested that its ultimate source could be Sanskrit sanipriya, which stood for a type of dark-coloured precious stone. It meant literally ‘precious to the planet Saturn’, and was a compound of Sani ‘Saturn’ and priya ‘precious’.
sapphire (n.)
"precious stone next in hardness to a diamond," mid-13c., from Old French saphir (12c.) and directly from Latin sapphirus (source also of Spanish zafir, Italian zaffiro), from Greek sappheiros "blue stone" (the gem meant apparently was not the one that now has the name, but perhaps rather "lapis lazuli," the modern sapphire being perhaps signified by Greek hyakinthos), from a Semitic source (compare Hebrew sappir "sapphire"), but probably not ultimately from Semitic. Some linguists propose an origin in Sanskrit sanipriya, a dark precious stone (perhaps sapphire or emerald), literally "sacred to Saturn," from Sani "Saturn" + priyah "precious." In Renaissance lapidaries, it was said to cure anger and stupidity. As an adjective from early 15c. Related: Sapphiric; sapphirine.
双语例句
1. Indigo develop Sapphire paper surface treatment technologies and Topaz plastic film surface treatment technologies.
Indigo研制出了Sapphire纸张表面处理技术和Topaz的塑料胶片表面处理技术.
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2. He gave his girlfriend a sapphire engagement ring.
他送给女友一枚镶着蓝宝石的订婚戒指。
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3. Now let us consider crystals such as diamond or sapphire.
现在让我们考虑象钻石和蓝宝石这样的晶体.
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4. He left a sapphire ring to her.
他留给她一枚蓝宝石戒指.
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5. Mrs. Youse was carrying a valuable sapphire ring wrapped in a handkerchief in her purse.
