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lapidary Definition

lapi·dary (lap′ə der′ē)

noun pl. -·dar′·ies

  1. a person who cuts, polishes, and engraves precious stones
  2. the art of such a person
  3. an expert in precious stones; collector of or dealer in gems

Etymology: ME lapidarie < LL lapidarius < L, of stones < lapis (gen. lapidis), a stone, akin to Gr lepas, ult.? < IE base *lep-: see leper

adjective

  1. of or connected with the art of cutting and engraving precious stones
  2. engraved on stone
  3. short, precise, and elegant, like an inscription on a monument

Etymology: L lapidarius

lapidary Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • work: I think that most lapidary work is partly lucky guess.
  • prose: Reason to resolve clean lapidary prose as soon as.
  • equipment: Carefully selected material is amenable to processing using conventional lapidary equipment and fine grain size together with uniform texture result in even polished surfaces.
  • pack: Some lapidary packs can be purchased directly through PayPal: These packs have PayPal buttons.
lapidary Quotes

In lapidary inscriptions a man is not upon oath.

—Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson

Browse dictionary entries near lapidary

  1. ‹ lapidarian
  2. ‹ lapful
  3. ‹ LAPF
  4. ‹ lapel
  5. ‹ LAPD
  6. ‹ lapboard
  7. ‹ LAPB
  8. ‹ laparotomy
  9. ‹ laparoscope
  10. ‹ laparo-
  1. lapidate ›
  2. lapidify ›
  3. lapillus ›
  4. lapin ›
  5. lapis ›
  6. lapis lazuli ›
  7. Laplace ›
  8. Lapland ›
  9. LAPM ›
  10. Lapp ›