Àl'a-bās'ter, n.
Àl'a-bās'ter, n. [Lat. alabaster, alabastrum, Gr. ἀλάβαστρος, ἀλάβαστρον, Fr. albâtre, O. Fr. al-bastre.]
Sense 1. (Min.) (a.) A compact variety of sulphate of lime, or gypsum, of fine texture, and usually white and semi-pellucid, but sometimes yellow, red, or gray. It is carved into vases, mantel ornaments, &c. (b.) A hard, compact variety of carbonate of lime, somewhat translucent, or of banded shades of color; stalagmite. The name is used in this sense by Pliny. This kind is sometimes distinguished as oriental alabaster. Dana.
Sense 2. A box or vessel for holding odoriferous liquors and ointments;—so called from the stone of which it was made. Fosbrooke.