lapis lazuli

views updated May 17 2018

lap·is laz·u·li / ˈlapis ˈlazyəˌlī; ˈlazhəˌlī; ˈlazyəlē/ (also lap·is) • n. a bright blue metamorphic rock consisting largely of lazurite, used for decoration and in jewelry. ∎  a bright blue pigment formerly made by crushing this, being the original ultramarine. ∎  the color ultramarine.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

lapis lazuli

views updated Jun 08 2018

lapis lazuli silicate producing ultramarine pigment. XIV. f. L. lapis stone + lazulī, g. of medL. lazulum, varying with lazur, lazurius, f. Pers. lāzhward AZURE.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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lapis lazuli

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