lapis lazuli

[ lap-is laz-oo-lee, -lahy, laz-yoo-, lazh-oo- ]

/ ˈlæp ɪs ˈlæz ʊ li, -ˌlaɪ, ˈlæz yʊ-, ˈlæʒ ʊ- /

a deep-blue mineral composed mainly of lazurite with smaller quantities of other minerals, used mainly as a gem or as a pigment.

a sky-blue color; azure.

Also called lapis, lazuli.

Origin of lapis lazuli

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin, equivalent to Latin lapis stone + Medieval Latin lazulī, genitive of lazulum lapis lazuli; see azure

Loulou, hidden beneath roses, showed nothing but his blue head which looked like a piece of lapis-lazuli.

A Simple Soul |Gustave Flaubert
In the north the sky was already clear, blue and hard-looking—a wall of lapis-lazuli.

The Cardinal's Snuff-Box |Henry Harland
He had taken from the desk a dagger with a lapis-lazuli handle, and was trying its edge on his finger-nail.

The Eternal City |Hall Caine
A beautiful vase of lapis-lazuli found here has been transferred to the Vatican.

Walks in Rome |Augustus J.C. Hare

The Chapel of S. Ignatius is very fine; the columns and ball over the altar are composed of lapis-lazuli.

Rambles in Rome |S. Russell Forbes

lapis lazuli

/ (ˈlæpɪs) /

a brilliant blue variety of the mineral lazurite, used as a gemstone

the deep blue colour of lapis lazuli

Also: lapis

C14: from Latin lapis stone + Medieval Latin lazulī, from lazulum, from Arabic lāzaward, from Persian lāzhuward, of obscure origin