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lapidary

Syllabification: (lap·i·dar·y)
Pronunciation: /ˈlapəˌderē/

Definition of lapidary

adjective

  • (of language) engraved on or suitable for engraving on stone and therefore elegant and concise:a lapidary statement
  • of or relating to stone and gems and the work involved in engraving, cutting, or polishing.

noun (plural lapidaries)

  • a person who cuts, polishes, or engraves gems.

Origin:

Middle English (as a noun): from Latin lapidarius (in late Latin 'stonecutter'), from lapis, lapid- 'stone'. The adjective dates from the early 18th century

lapidary in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of lapidary in the British & World English dictionary
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