lapis lazuli

noun

la·​pis la·​zu·​li ˌla-pəs-ˈla-zə-lē 

-ˈla-zhə-

: a semiprecious stone that is usually rich azure blue and is essentially a complex silicate often with spangles of pyrites

called also lapis

Examples of lapis lazuli in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The collection ups the ante on the brand’s signature hard stone dials, which are no easy feat on their own—Piaget sometimes goes a hundred cuts of malachite, lapis lazuli, tiger’s eye, opal, or coral before arriving at one slice that’s precise enough to set as a dial with a movement behind it. —Shannon Adducci, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2024

Mineral stones from Pakistan and lapis lazuli from Afghanistan come to my studio in raw form. —Sonya Rehman, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Video Ad Feedback Macron thanks workers for 5-year Notre Dame reconstruction 01:06 - Source: CNN Years of grime have been removed, restoring the vibrant colors so that once more, lipstick reds and lapis lazuli blues bathe the cathedral’s interior when the daylight shines through. —Joseph Ataman, CNN, 30 Nov. 2024

One best seller was a globe, supposedly made from lapis lazuli and other gemstones. —Chris Stanton, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin lapis + Medieval Latin lazuli, genitive of lazulum lapis lazuli, from Arabic lāzaward — more at azure

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lapis lazuli

noun

la·​pis la·​zu·​li ˌlap-ə-ˈslazh-ə-lē 

-ˈslaz-

: a deep blue gemstone