zaffrehttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zaffre_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezaffre | zaffer, n.
First published 1921; not fully revised

zaffre | zaffernoun

  1. 1662–
    An impure oxide of cobalt, obtained by roasting cobalt-ore, and used in the preparation of smalt and as a blue colouring-matter (cobalt blue) for pottery, glass, etc.
    1. 1662
      Take Zaffer in gross pieces.
      C. Merret, translation of A. Neri, Art of Glass xii
    2. 1686
      Smalt is made of Zaffer and Pot-ashes.
      Philosophical Transactions (Royal Society) vol. 16 26
    3. 1693
      Zaphara, or Saffera.
      translation of S. Blankaart, Physical Dictionary (ed. 2) 113
    4. 1745
      Zaffer, which is used by the Glass-makers and Enamellers, is made of Cobalt..calcined after the subliming the Flowers.
      W. Watson in Philosophical Transactions 1744–5 (Royal Society) vol. 43 497
    5. 1804
      Smalt, or vitreous oxide of cobalt, is saffer reduced to blue glass by the action of a violent fire.
      translation of P. F. Tingry, Painter & Varnisher's Guide 301
    6. 1845
      Zaffre, digested in aqua regia, and diluted with four times its weight of water, is sometimes employed; a green tint results.
      E. A. Poe, Gold-bug in Tales 25
    7. 1912
      The Egyptian porcelain..manufacturer, who used for the zaffre the Cyprus blue-stone.
      Contemporary Review December 860

zaffre, n. was first published in 1921; not fully revised.

zaffre, n. was last modified in July 2023.