lapidary
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Latin lapidārius (“of stones”) (later used as a noun ‘stone-cutter’), from lapis (“stone”).
Pronunciation [edit]
- IPA: /ˈlæpɪdəri/
Noun [edit]
lapidary (plural lapidaries)
- A person who cuts, polishes, engraves, or deals in gems.
- 2005 Peter G. Read, "Gemmology"
- in the very early days of gemstone fashioning, a polisher or lapidary would cut and polish both diamonds and other gemstones.
- 2005 Peter G. Read, "Gemmology"
- An expert in gems or precious stones; a connoisseur of lapidary work.
- (archaic) A treatise on precious stones.
Adjective [edit]
lapidary (comparative more lapidary, superlative most lapidary)
- Pertaining to gems and precious stones, or the art of working them.
- Suitable for inscriptions; efficient, stately, concise.
-
- 2000: The sole truth was that supplied by mathematics or by such lapidary propositions as “What's done cannot be undone,” which was irrefutably correct. — Karen Armstrong, The Battle for God (Harper 2004, p. 71)
-
