lapidary

[ lap-i-der-ee ]

noun

, plural lap·i·dar·ies.

1. Also lap·i·dist [] a worker who cuts, polishes, and engraves precious stones.
2. Also la·pid·ar·ist [] an expert in precious stones and the art or techniques used in cutting and engraving them.
3. the art of cutting, polishing, and engraving precious stones.
4. an old book on the lore of gems.

adjective

1. of or relating to the cutting or engraving of precious stones.
2. characterized by an exactitude and extreme refinement that suggests gem cutting:

   a lapidary style; lapidary verse.

3. of, relating to, or suggestive of inscriptions on stone monuments.

lapidary

/ ˈlæpɪdərɪ /

noun

1. a person whose business is to cut, polish, set, or deal in gemstones

adjective

1. of or relating to gemstones or the work of a lapidary
2. Alsolapidarianˌlæpɪˈdɛərɪən engraved, cut, or inscribed in a stone or gemstone
3. of sufficiently high quality to be engraved on a stone

   a lapidary inscription

Derived Forms

• ˌlapiˈdarian, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lapidary¹

1325–75; Middle English lapidarie (noun) < Latin lapidārius of stone (adj.), stone-cutter (noun), equivalent to lapid- (stem of lapis ) stone + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of lapidary¹

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

Example Sentences

The style is as lapidary as ever, but strangely the mood is lighter than before.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile, valuable moments in which someone could be chiming in with another “lapidary” are ticking away.

From The Daily Beast

What would happen if Thomas Brown's friends paid for such lapidary style as that?

From Project Gutenberg

The first to come before Solomon with his complaint was one Achior, a lapidary by trade.

From Project Gutenberg

His first attempt produced a red ware, like jasper, which was cut and polished by the lapidary and gilt by the goldsmith.

From Project Gutenberg

He had carried out her mission to Perth; he had delivered the jewels to the lapidary and was back with his answer.

From Project Gutenberg

For further details upon Gems, and the art of cutting and engraving them, see Lapidary.

From Project Gutenberg