LAPIDARY

lapidary

(adjective) of or relating to precious stones or the art of working with them; “the ring is of no lapidary value”- Lord Byron; “lapidary art”

lapidary, lapidist

(noun) a skilled worker who cuts and engraves precious stones

lapidary, lapidarist

(noun) an expert on precious stones and the art of cutting and engraving them

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

lapidary (plural lapidaries)

A person who cuts, polishes, engraves, or deals in gems.

An expert in gems or precious stones; a connoisseur of lapidary work.

(archaic) A treatise on precious stones.

Adjective

lapidary (not comparable)

Pertaining to gems and precious stones, or the art of working them.

Suitable for inscriptions; efficient, stately, concise; embodying the refinement and precision characteristic of stone-cutting.

Source: Wiktionary

Lap"i*da*ry, n. ; pl. Lapidaries. Etym: [L. lapidarius, fr. lapidarius pertaining to stone: cf. F. lapidaire.]

1. An artificer who cuts, polishes, and engraves precious stones; hence, a dealer in precious stones.

2. A virtuoso skilled in gems or precious stones; a connoisseur of lapidary work. Lapidary's lathe, mill, or wheel, a machine consisting essentially of a revolving lap on a vertical spindle, used by a lapidary for grinding and polishing.

Lap"i*da*ry, a. Etym: [L. lapidarius pertaining to stone: cf. F. lapidaire.]

1. Of or pertaining to the art of cutting stones, or engraving on stones, either gems or monuments; as, lapidary ornamentation.

2. Of or pertaining to monumental inscriptions; as, lapidary adulation. Lapidary style, that style which is proper for monumental and other inscriptions; terse; sententious.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition