zaffre

1 definition found

zaffre - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Zaffer \Zaf"fer\, n. [F. zafre, safre; cf. Sp. zafra, safra, It.
     saffera, G. zaffer; all probably of Arabic origin. Cf.
     Zaphara.]
     A pigment obtained, usually by roasting cobalt glance with
     sand or quartz, as a dark earthy powder. It consists of crude
     cobalt oxide, or of an impure cobalt arseniate. It is used in
     porcelain painting, and in enameling pottery, to produce a
     blue color, and is often confounded with smalt, from which,
     however, it is distinct, as it contains no potash. The name
     is often loosely applied to mixtures of zaffer proper with
     silica, or oxides of iron, manganese, etc. [Written also
     zaffre, and formerly zaffree, zaffar, zaffir.]
     [1913 Webster]