‖ ˈastrion Obs.
[L., dim. of Gr. ἀστήρ star.]
A kind of precious stone; ‘no description can better suit the asteriated crystals of sapphire, which exhibit a brilliant six-sided star in its centre’ (Westropp). Cf. asteria, astroite.
| [c 1300 Land Cokaygne in E.E.P. (1862) 158 Carbuncle and astiune.] 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xvi. xv. 558 Astrion is a precyous stone of Ynde nyghe lyke to crystall. 1567 J. Maplet Gr. Forest 3 Astrion is a gem..in whose centre..a certaine light is seene shining. 1601 Chester Love's Mar. lxxxviii. (1878) 101 Euidos, Iris, Dracontites, and Astrion. 1874 Westropp Precious Stones 65 Astrion—star sapphire. |