lapis lazuli

American  

[lap-is laz-oo-lee, -lahy, laz-yoo-, lazh-oo-] / ˈlæp ɪs ˈlæz ʊ li, -ˌlaɪ, ˈlæz yʊ-, ˈlæʒ ʊ- /

noun

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

2. a sky-blue color; azure.

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lapis lazuli British  

/ ˈlæpɪs /

noun

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

2. the deep blue colour of lapis lazuli

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Etymology

Origin of lapis lazuli

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin, equivalent to Latin lapis “stone” + Medieval Latin lazulī, genitive of lazulum “lapis lazuli”; azure

Example Sentences

The boy king's gold-covered sarcophagus and his burial mask, inlaid with lapis lazuli, will take centre stage at Saturday's opening.

From Barron's

The rare gold band, adorned with spherical lapis lazuli beads, dates back to the reign of King Amenemope, a pharaoh of ancient Egypt's 21st Dynasty who ruled from 993 to 984BC.

From BBC

Pigments made of minerals including hematite and rocks like lapis lazuli are ground into nanoparticles and suspended in silica, resembling “melted glass,” as Magaloni describes.

From Los Angeles Times

“And also no lapis lazuli. And absolutely no...,” he continues his message before, screaming, “chicken jockeys!”

From Los Angeles Times

It is made of silver, lapis lazuli, malachite and pink coral.

From New York Times