lapis lazuli
Americannoun
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a deep-blue mineral composed mainly of lazurite with smaller quantities of other minerals, used mainly as a gem or as a pigment.
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a sky-blue color; azure.
noun
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a brilliant blue variety of the mineral lazurite, used as a gemstone
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the deep blue colour of lapis lazuli
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”; see azure
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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 • Oct. 31, 2025
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 • Sep. 1, 2025
Wise was responding musically to the gorgeous lapis lazuli visuals of Donkey Kong Country’s water levels.
From New York Times • Nov. 19, 2024
The gothic-style brooch — composed of silver, lapis lazuli, malachite and coral — is now by far the most prized piece in her modest collection.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 19, 2024
A red gold fox poked its shining snout out from his breastplate through a circle of lapis lazuli flowers.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
