Definition
A fine-grained, usually white or translucent stone (gypsum or calcite) prized for sculpture and decorative objects, valued for its soft beauty and carving quality.
Example Usage
The delicate alabaster lamp cast a warm, diffused glow throughout the room as light passed through its thin stone walls.
Origin
From Greek 'alabastros,' possibly derived from the Egyptian city of Alabastron, historically a center of alabaster trade and craftsmanship.
Fun Fact
Ancient Egyptians used alabaster for canopic jars and vessels, and it remains a hallmark material of Islamic decorative arts and architecture.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
Related Terms
Translate This Term
See “Alabaster” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
Try the Translator