Zāf'fer, n.

n. [Fr. zafre, safre, saffre, Sp. zafra, It. zaffera, Ger. zaffer, allied to sapphire, q. v. Cf. ZAPHARA.] (Chem.) Impure oxide of cobalt; the residuum of cobalt, after the sulphur, arsenic, and other volatile matters have been expelled by calcination, being a gray or dark-gray substance, consisting of the protoxide of cobalt, mixed with some silica. [Written also zaffar, zaffir, and zaffre.]