sapphirus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [sapˈpʰiː.rʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [sapˈfiː.rus]^[1]

Forms

sapphīrus f (genitive sapphīrī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek σάπφειρος (sáppheiros, “a blue gem”).^[2][1] The OLD and Köbler compare Biblical Hebrew סַפִּיר (sappīr), and Etymonline adds that the OED thinks the word probably not Semitic in the end.^[2][3][4] The OLD gives it under the spelling sappīrus.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Pliny the Elder describes it among blue gems.^[5][6] Köbler dates him 23/24–79 AD.^[3]

Semantic evolution

In Classical Latin it was a blue gem, probably lapis lazuli, and Isidore of Seville describes it as blue with purple and sprinkled with gold dust.^[2][6][7] The Vulgate uses it in Exodus, Isaiah and Revelation, and Tertullian uses the form sapphir.^[6][5]

Later it meant the sapphire.^[1] Medieval British writers used it of a blue gem and figuratively.^[8] English sapphire is recorded in the mid-13th century, through Old French.^[4]

Timeline

• 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder describes it.^[5][3]
• c. 160–220 AD – Tertullian uses the form sapphir.^[9][3]
• 390–406 AD – The Vulgate uses it in Revelation.^[5][3]
• mid-13th century – English sapphire is recorded.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. A blue gem, probably lapis lazuli.^[2][6]
2. (later) A sapphire.^[1][9]

Related words

• sapphirinus
• English sapphire

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ a b c d Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ a b c d Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
7. ^ Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
8. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
9. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.