I. -ˌderē, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English lapidarie, from Latin lapidarius, from lapidarius, adjective
1.
a. : a cutter, polisher, or engraver of precious stones other than diamonds
b. : the art of cutting gems
an evening course in lapidary — Minerals Yearbook
2. : a connoisseur of precious stones and the art of cutting them
the lapidary is often called upon to ascertain the nature of rough gem minerals — F.J.Sperisen
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin lapidarius of stone, from lapid-, lapis stone + -arius -ary; akin to Greek lepas crag
1.
a. : lapidarian 1
his face is lean, leathery, but not lapidary — Harvey Breit
b. : of or relating to precious stones or the art of cutting them
the ring is of no lapidary value — Lord Byron
2. : having the elegance and precision associated with inscriptions on stone
his poetry … alternates between the ample elegiac and the lapidary epigram — Charles Weir
the more lapidary and terse this subject the better it is suited for symphonic elaboration — P.H.Lang