ligure: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Obsolete/Very Low (E1 or lower in modern corpora)Archaic, Biblical, Historical, Specialized (Jewellery/Gemology)
Quick answer
What does “ligure” mean?
A precious stone mentioned in ancient biblical texts, possibly a type of jacinth or amber.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A precious stone mentioned in ancient biblical texts, possibly a type of jacinth or amber.
The term is obsolete in modern English and appears almost exclusively in historical or theological discussions of the breastplate of the High Priest (Exodus 28:19). It is sometimes identified with tourmaline, hyacinth, or jacinth in different translations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No modern usage difference. Both varieties encounter the word only in identical historical/Biblical contexts.
Connotations
Archaism, obscurity, biblical scholarship.
Frequency
Equally non-existent in contemporary speech or writing for both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “ligure” in a Sentence
the + ligurea ligure + (stone)the ligure was + (a gem)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, theological, or gemological texts discussing ancient materials.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Potential use in historical gemology or archaeology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ligure”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ligure”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ligure”
- Spelling as 'liguer' or 'liger'.
- Pronouncing with a hard 'g' as in 'ligament' (/ˈlɪɡ.ər/ is standard).
- Using it as a modern noun for a type of gem.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic word found almost exclusively in historical or biblical contexts.
Its exact identity is unknown; it is variously interpreted by scholars as jacinth, tourmaline, or amber.
It is pronounced /ˈlɪɡjər/ in American English and /ˈlɪɡjʊə/ in British English.
No, it would be incorrect and confusing. Use specific modern gemological terms like 'zircon' or 'tourmaline' instead.
A precious stone mentioned in ancient biblical texts, possibly a type of jacinth or amber.
Ligure is usually archaic, biblical, historical, specialized (jewellery/gemology) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The LIGURE was part of the priest's FIGURE's attire, a LUSTROUS gem.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBSCURITY IS A LOST GEM: Knowledge of the ligure's true nature is buried like a lost treasure.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'ligure'?