[lap.i.dary] n, pl -dar.ies (14c) 1: a cutter, polisher, or engraver of precious stones usu. other than diamonds
2: the art of cutting gems
[2]lapidary adj [L lapidarius of stone, fr. lapid-, lapis stone] (1724) 1: having the elegance and precision associated with inscriptions on monumental stone "the ~ phrasing ... and subtle condensations of emotions ... reward attentive reading --G. A. Cardwell"
2. a: sculptured in or engraved on stone b: of or relating to precious stones or the art of cutting them