Emily Dickinson Lexicon

alabaster, adj. [OFr < L. < Gk ἀλάβαστροs, a town in Egypt.] (webplay: figures, stone).

1. Gypsum; massive, fine-grained sulphate of lime; white, yellow, or rose-colored mineral, having concentric stripes or spots; translucent or variegated carbonate of lime; pure white material for making boxes to keep ointments.
2. Snowy; white, cold, soft, and smooth; [fig.] shroud-like; sepulchral.
3. Stony; deathly white; cold, hard, and pale because of death.