a compact variety or sulphate of lime, or gypsum, of fine texture, and usually white and translucent, but sometimes yellow, red, or gray. it is carved into vases, mantel ornaments, etc.-a hard, compact variety of carbonate of lime, somewhat translucent, or of banded shades of color; stalagmite. the name is used in this sense by pliny. it is sometimes distinguished as oriental alabaster.-a box or vessel for holding odoriferous ointments, etc.; -- so called from the stone of which it was originally made.