lapidary
[ lap-i-der-ee ]
/ ˈlæp ɪˌdɛr i /
noun, plural lap·i·dar·ies.
Also lap·i·dist
[lap-i-dist] /ˈlæp ɪ dɪst/.
a worker who cuts, polishes, and engraves precious stones.
Also la·pid·ar·ist
[luh-pid-er-ist] /ləˈpɪd ər ɪst/.
an expert in precious stones and the art or techniques used in cutting and engraving them.
the art of cutting, polishing, and engraving precious stones.
an old book on the lore of gems.
adjective Also lap·i·dar·i·an [lap-i-dair-ee-uh n] /ˌlæp ɪˈdɛər i ən/.
Origin of lapidary
1325–75; Middle English
lapidarie (noun) < Latin
lapidārius of stone (adj.), stone-cutter (noun), equivalent to
lapid- (stem of
lapis) stone +
-ārius
-ary
Words nearby lapidary
lapel,
lapel mike,
laperm,
lapful,
lapheld,
lapidary,
lapidate,
lapidicolous,
lapidify,
lapillus,
lapin
Example sentences from the Web for lapidary
British Dictionary definitions for lapidary
lapidary
/ (ˈlæpɪdərɪ) /
noun plural -daries
a person whose business is to cut, polish, set, or deal in gemstones
adjective
of or relating to gemstones or the work of a lapidary
Also: lapidarian (ˌlæpɪˈdɛərɪən)
engraved, cut, or inscribed in a stone or gemstone
of sufficiently high quality to be engraved on a stone
a lapidary inscription
Derived forms of lapidary
lapidarian, adjectiveWord Origin for lapidary
C14: from Latin
lapidārius, from
lapid-, lapis stone