Color Names · Entry

Zaffre

Italian, probably from Latin
“a cobalt-blue pigment used in glass and ceramics”
Where it comes from
zaffera, probably from Latin sapphirus ('sapphire'); an Arabic word for 'yellow' has also been proposed
Fun Fact
Zaffre was a key blue pigment in glassmaking and pottery glazes for centuries, made by roasting cobalt ore. Dictionaries trace its name to Italian zaffera, probably from the Latin word for sapphire, though an Arabic origin has also been suggested.
Draw another
Advertisement
🎲 Draw another See more Color Names →