lapidary

lap·i·dar·y  (lp-dr)

n. pl. lap·i·dar·ies

1. One who cuts, polishes, or engraves gems.

2. A dealer in precious or semiprecious stones.

adj.

1. Of or relating to precious stones or the art of working with them.

2.

a. Engraved in stone.

b. Marked by conciseness, precision, or refinement of expression: lapidary prose.

c. Sharply or finely delineated: a face with lapidary features.

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[Middle English lapidarie, from Old French lapidaire, from Latin lapidrius, from lapis, lapid-, stone.]

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lapidary

Noun

pl -daries

a person who cuts, polishes, sets, or deals in gemstones

Adjective

of or relating to gemstones or the work of a lapidary [Latin lapidarius, from lapis stone]

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lapidary

1. one who cuts, polishes, or engraves precious stones.
2. a cutter of gemstones, especially diamonds.
3. the art of cutting gemstones.
4. a connoisseur of cut gemstones and the art of their cutting. — lapidarist, n. — lapidarian, adj.

See also: Gems

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	lapidary - an expert on precious stones and the art of cutting and engraving them lapidarist expert - a person with special knowledge or ability who performs skillfully
	2.	lapidary - a skilled worker who cuts and engraves precious stones lapidist engraver - a skilled worker who can inscribe designs or writing onto a surface by carving or etching
Adj.	1.	lapidary - of or relating to precious stones or the art of working with them; "the ring is of no lapidary value"- Lord Byron; "lapidary art"