Lapis-lazuli definition
An opaque to translucent blue, violet-blue, or greenish-blue semiprecious gemstone composed mainly of lazurite and calcite.
noun
An azure-blue, opaque semiprecious stone, a mixture of lazurite and various other minerals.
noun
Its color.
noun
(mineralogy) A deep blue stone, used in making jewelry.
noun
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Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
lapis-lazuli
Plural:
lapis lazulis, lapides lazuliOrigin of lapis-lazuli
- Middle English from Old French from Medieval Latin lapis lazulī Latin lapis stone Medieval Latin lazulī genitive of lazulum lapis lazuli (from Arabic lāzaward) (from Persian lājward)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- Medieval Latin lapis (“stone") +"Ž lazulÄ« (“heavens, skies", genitive singular of lazulum).
From Wiktionary