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lapis lazuli

Pronunciation: /ˌlapɪs ˈlazjʊlʌɪ, -li/

(also lapis)

Definition of lapis lazuli

noun

[mass noun]

a bright blue metamorphic rock consisting largely of lazurite, used for decoration and in jewellery.
a bright blue pigment formerly made by crushing lapis lazuli.
a bright blue colour.

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin lapis 'stone' and medieval Latin lazuli, genitive of lazulum, from Persian lāžward 'lapis lazuli'. Compare with azure