sapphirus Latin · revision 4363

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=Pliny the Elder|origins=grc σάπφειρος}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [sapˈpʰiː.rʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [sapˈfiː.rus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''sapphīrus''' ''f'' (genitive sapphīrī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|grc|σάπφειρος|tr=sáppheiros|t=a blue gem]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) The OLD and Köbler compare [[hbo|סַפִּיר|tr=sappīr]], and Etymonline adds that the OED thinks the word probably not Semitic in the end.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)^(Etymonline) The OLD gives it under the spelling [[m|la|sappīrus]].^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Pliny the Elder describes it among blue gems.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) Köbler dates him 23/24–79 AD.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==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.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Isidore) The Vulgate uses it in Exodus, Isaiah and Revelation, and Tertullian uses the form ''sapphir''.^(Georges 1913)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ Later it meant the sapphire.^(Wiktionary) Medieval British writers used it of a blue gem and figuratively.^(DMLBS) English ''sapphire'' is recorded in the mid-13th century, through Old French.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder describes it.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 160–220 AD – Tertullian uses the form ''sapphir''.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 390–406 AD – The Vulgate uses it in Revelation.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * mid-13th century – English ''sapphire'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A blue gem, probably [[m|en|lapis lazuli]].^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # ''(later)'' A [[m|en|sapphire]].^(Wiktionary)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[sapphirinus]]

+ * [[en|sapphire]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}