How Do You Spell ALABASTRA?

Pronunciation: [ˌaləbˈastɹə] (IPA)

The word "Alabastra" is a plural form of "Alabastron", which is a Greek term used to describe a container for perfume or oil. The spelling of "Alabastra" is not intuitive, but it can be broken down phonetically using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable is "æl", pronounced like "pal" without the "p". The second syllable is "ə", pronounced like the final "a" in "sofa". The final syllable is "strə", pronounced like "stra" in "strategy" with a short "u" sound inserted between "s" and "tr".

ALABASTRA Meaning and Definition

1. Alabastra is a noun with Greek origins that refers to a specific type of ancient Greek pottery. It is originally derived from the Greek word "alabastros," which means "a jar or vessel for holding oil." Alabastra are small, usually narrow-necked, ceramic containers that were commonly used in ancient Greek society to store perfumes, oils, or other precious liquids.

   These vessels were typically made of alabaster, a fine-grained and translucent variety of stone, and often featured a distinctive elongated shape with a slim neck and a flared base. Alabastra were highly valued for their decorative purposes, as they were meticulously crafted and adorned with intricate designs and motifs.

   The exquisite craftsmanship and delicate ornamentation found on alabastra demonstrate the high level of skill and artistic expression prevalent in ancient Greek pottery-making. They were often painted with elaborate scenes or intricate patterns, reflecting the cultural and mythological themes that were significant to the Greeks. Additionally, alabastra frequently featured handles or small loop attachments on the neck or shoulder, making them easier to carry or hang.

   Today, alabastra serve as valuable artifacts and important sources of knowledge for understanding ancient Greek art and culture. Museums and collectors around the world proudly display these small vessels, showcasing the craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities of the ancient Greeks.

Common Misspellings for ALABASTRA

• zlabastra
• slabastra
• wlabastra
• qlabastra
• akabastra
• apabastra
• aoabastra
• alzbastra
• alsbastra
• alwbastra
• alqbastra
• alavastra
• alanastra
• alahastra
• alagastra
• alabzstra
• alabsstra
• alabwstra
• alabqstra

Etymology of ALABASTRA

The word "Alabastra" comes from the Greek word "ἀλαβαστρον" (alabastron), which originally referred to a small, narrow-necked vessel made of alabaster, a type of white or translucent stone. The word "alabastron" itself is derived from the earlier Greek word "ἀλάβαστρος" (alabastros) or "ἀλάβαστος" (alabastos), which means "perfume vase" or "ointment jar". Eventually, the term "Alabastra" started to be used in archaeology and art history to refer to a specific type of ancient Greek pottery form characterized by its elongated shape and narrow neck.