Alablaster

/ˌæl.əˈbæs.tər/ noun

Definition

An archaic or variant spelling of alabaster, a smooth white or translucent stone used for carving ornamental objects and vessels.

Etymology

From Greek alabastron, with Old English and Middle English spelling variations. The spelling 'alablaster' shows how medieval scribes sometimes added the 'al-' prefix (from Arabic article 'al-') to the already-prefixed alabaster.

Kelly Says

This weird spelling reveals that 'al-' in alabaster is actually the Arabic article 'the' that got stuck to the beginning—so it literally means 'the alabastron,' and medieval English speakers added it again by accident!

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