lapis

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   lapis lazuli, especially when used as a gemstone, pigment source, inlay, or decorative material

   The cabinet was inlaid with ivory and polished blue lapis.

2. 2
   noun

   a deep vivid blue resembling the colour of lapis lazuli

   A narrow band of lapis separated the gold border from the white field.

A shortening of lapis lazuli. Latin lapis means 'stone,' while lazuli came through Medieval Latin and Arabic from Persian Lazhward, a place associated with the blue stone. The shortened English form is common in art, jewellery, and decorative-work contexts.

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