Meanings
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1
noun
a vivid deep-blue pigment originally made by grinding lapis lazuli and now also produced synthetically
The painter reserved costly natural ultramarine for the central figure's robe.
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2
noun
the intense blue to violet-blue color of ultramarine pigment
The dragonfly's abdomen shone a vivid ultramarine in the sun.
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3
adj
having a vivid deep-blue or violet-blue color
An ultramarine stripe crossed the bird's otherwise pale wing.
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4
adj
historical: situated or originating beyond the sea
The ministry administered several ultramarine territories.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Medieval Latin ultramarinus ("beyond the sea"), from ultra ("beyond") + marinus ("of the sea"). The pigment took this name because lapis lazuli reached Europe from lands beyond the Mediterranean.