jasper

¹

[ jas-per ]

noun

1. a compact, opaque, cryptocrystalline variety of quartz, usually colored red: often used in decorative carvings.
2. Also called jasper ware;. a fine, hard stoneware introduced c1775 by Wedgwood, stained various colors by metallic oxides, with raised designs in white.

jasper

²

[ jas-per ]

noun

, Older Slang.

1. a fellow; guy.

Jasper

³

[ jas-per ]

noun

1. a city in NW Alabama.
2. a resort town in SW Alberta, in SW Canada, on the Athabasca River: headquarters for Jasper National Park.
3. a male given name, form of Caspar.

jasper

/ ˈdʒæspə /

noun

1. an opaque impure microcrystalline form of quartz, red, yellow, brown, or dark green in colour, used as a gemstone and for ornamental decoration
2. Also calledjasper ware a dense hard stoneware, invented in 1775 by Wedgwood, capable of being stained throughout its substance with metallic oxides and used as background for applied classical decoration

jasper

/ jăs′pər /

1. A reddish, brown, or yellow variety of chert. Jasper usually occurs in association with iron ores and contains iron impurities that give it its color.

Word History and Origins

Origin of jasper¹

1300–50; Middle English jaspe, jaspre < Middle French; Old French jaspe < Latin iaspis < Greek iáspis < Semitic; compare Arabic yashb

Origin of jasper²

1895–1900, Americanism; special use of proper name Jasper

Word History and Origins

Origin of jasper¹

C14: from Old French jaspe, from Latin jaspis, from Greek iaspis, of Semitic origin; related to Assyrian ashpū, Arabic yashb, Hebrew yāshpheh

Example Sentences

Two layered discs carved out of Dalmatian jasper support a pink-hued thulite bowl; the materials were selected by the brand’s gemologists and cut and polished by lapidaries to bring out their full character.

From New York Times

It’s a desolate alluvial fan on the southern flanks of the Cady Mountains, where sparkling calcite crystals and pieces of quartz, jasper and agate are continually carried down the slopes by thunderstorms and flash floods.

From Los Angeles Times

The delicate intaglios, fashioned from amethyst, jasper and carnelian, range in diameter from 5 millimeters to 16 millimeters — bigger than a pencil eraser, smaller than a dime.

From New York Times

Chakra practitioners believe that a red stone, such as jasper, can help with increasing confidence, overcoming fear and achieving stability.

From Washington Post

And Oregon produces different varieties of sunstone and jasper.

From New York Times