Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Lapidary"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Lapidary \Lap"i*da*ry\, n.; pl. {Lapidaries}. [L. lapidarius,
fr. lapidarius pertaining to stone: cf. F. lapidaire.]
1. An artificer who cuts, polishes, and engraves precious
stones; hence, a dealer in precious stones.
2. A virtuoso skilled in gems or precious stones; a
connoisseur of lapidary work.
{Lapidary's lathe}, {mill}, {or wheel}, a machine consisting
essentially of a revolving lap on a vertical spindle, used
by a lapidary for grinding and polishing.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Lapidary \Lap"i*da*ry\, a. [L. lapidarius pertaining to stone:
cf. F. lapidaire.]
1. Of or pertaining to the art of cutting stones, or
engraving on stones, either gems or monuments; as,
lapidary ornamentation.
2. Of or pertaining to monumental inscriptions; as, lapidary
adulation.
{Lapidary style}, that style which is proper for monumental
and other inscriptions; terse; sententious.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
lapidary
adj : of or relating to precious stones or the art of working with
them; "the ring is of no lapidary value"- Lord Byron;
"lapidary art"
n 1: an expert on precious stones and the art of cutting and
engraving them [syn: {lapidarist}]
2: a skilled worker who cuts and engraves precious stones [syn:
{lapidist}]
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