lapis lazuli

 
Pronunciation: /ˌlapɪs ˈlazjʊlʌɪ, -li/
(also lapis)

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