mazarine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely Rare / ArchaicHistorical / Literary / Specialized (Textiles/History of Fashion)
Quick answer
What does “mazarine” mean?
A deep, rich blue color.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A deep, rich blue color.
A deep purplish-blue color, historically associated with Duchess Mazarin and 17th-century fashion. Also, an archaic term for a deep round dish or a fish (a hybrid trout).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No contemporary difference; the term is equally archaic in both dialects.
Connotations
Evokes antiquarianism, historical precision, or poetic diction.
Frequency
Virtually never used in modern speech or writing in either region.
Grammar
How to Use “mazarine” in a Sentence
attributive noun + noun (mazarine silk)adjective + noun (mazarine gown)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mazarine” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The restored portrait revealed the subject's original mazarine doublet.
American English
- She sought a fabric in a historic mazarine shade for the reproduction dress.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Potentially in historical art, textile, or cultural studies papers.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Rarely in historical fabric/color cataloguing or heraldic descriptions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mazarine”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mazarine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mazarine”
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈmæz.ər.aɪn/ or /məˈzɑːr.ɪn/.
- Using it as a contemporary color term.
- Confusing it with 'magenta' or 'marine'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and archaic term. Modern equivalents are 'navy blue', 'midnight blue', or 'Prussian blue'.
It is derived from the name of Hortense Mancini, Duchess of Mazarin (1646–1699), a prominent figure in 17th-century French and English courts known for her fashion influence.
Primarily as an adjective (e.g., mazarine gown). It can function as a noun meaning 'the colour mazarine' or, archaically, a type of dish or fish.
No. It is a curiosity for advanced learners and specialists. Your effort is better spent on active, contemporary vocabulary.
A deep, rich blue color.
Mazarine is usually historical / literary / specialized (textiles/history of fashion) in register.
Mazarine: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmæz.əˈriːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmæz.ə.riːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None exist for this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MAZA- like MAZDA car lights, which can be a bright blue, and -RINE like 'marine' for the sea's deep blue. 'Mazarine' is a deep marine blue.
Conceptual Metaphor
COLOR IS A NOBLE TITLE (named after a duchess).
Practice
Quiz
In what context are you most likely to encounter the word 'mazarine' today?