Azure

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈæʒ(j)ÊŠÉ™/, /ˈæʒə/
• US IPA: /ˈæʒɚ/, /ˈeɪʒɚ/

Origin

Old French azur, derived from Arabic لازوَرْد (lāzaward, "lapis lazuli"), dropping the l as if it were equivalent to the French article l'. The Arabic is from Persian لاجورد (lâjvard, "lapis lazuli"), from the region of Lajward in Turkestan.

Compare with Italian azzurro and Spanish azul.

Full definition of azure

Noun

1. (tincture) A blue colour on a coat of arms, represented in engraving by horizontal parallel lines.
• 1997, Brault, Early Blazon:In Bb Roll, the conventional letter B is used to indicate azure in most items.
2. The clear blue colour of the sky; also, a pigment or dye of this colour.
• WordsworthIn robes of azure.
3. (poetic) The unclouded sky; the blue vault above.
• John miltonNot like those steps
  On heaven's azure.
4. Lapis lazuli.

Alternative forms

• (blue color on a coat of arms) az., b., bl.

Derived terms

• azurely
• azureness
• azurite
• azurity

Adjective

1. Sky-blue; resembling the clear blue colour of the unclouded sky; cerulean; also, cloudless.
• Rule, Britannia!When Britain first, at Heaven's command
  Arose from out the azure main.
2. (tincture) In blazon, of the colour blue.

Verb

1. (transitive) To colour blue.