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

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

The earliest stable blue was made from lapis lazuli, the mining of which began in Afghanistan around six thousand years ago. —Kanya Kanchana, Longreads, 15 Oct. 2024

Materials, too, break from neutral modernist tropes, with allusions to the lapis lazuli and bronze of artifacts. —Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 10 Oct. 2024

Along with tiger’s eye, as seen above, talkative’s sliced, gemstone Crest earrings are available in a veritable rainbow of gems and hardstones including lapis lazuli, fluorite, moss agate, mother of pearl, green onyx, amethyst and aquamarine. —Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 6 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