alabastrum

noun

al·​a·​bas·​trum

ˌa-lə-ˈba-strəm

variants or alabastron

ˌa-lə-ˈba-ˌsträn,

-strən

or alabastos

ˌa-lə-ˈba-ˌstäs,

-stəs

plural alabastra

ˌa-lə-ˈba-strə

or alabastrums or alabastrons

: an ancient Greek or Roman jar for oils, ointments, or perfumes having a flattened lip with narrow orifice and an elongated body rounded at the bottom

Word History

Etymology

Latin & Greek; Latin alabastrum, from Greek alabastron, alabastos

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

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