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

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, adjective

Word Origin for lapidary

C14: from Latin lapidārius, from lapid-, lapis stone