American English Dictionary
Definition of “lapidary”
Word Frequency
lapidary (ˈlæpəˌdɛri
)
Definitions
noun
Word forms: plural ˈlapiˌdaries
- a person who cuts, polishes, and engraves precious stones
- the art of such a person
- an expert in precious stones; collector of or dealer in gems (also ) ˈlapiˌdarist
adjective
- of or connected with the art of cutting and engraving precious stones
- engraved on stone
- short, precise, and elegant, like an inscription on a monument
Word Origin
ME lapidarie < LL lapidarius < L, of stones < lapis (gen. lapidis), a stone, akin to Gr lepas, ult.? < IE base * lep-: see leperExample Sentences Including 'lapidary'
In lapidary inscrip- tions, Samuel Johnson once said, a man is not upon oath.The Cultivation of Hatred (1993)
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