Chapter Laniferous to Lapidescence of L by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

Lapidary
(Lap"i*da*ry) n.; pl. Lapidaries [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.

Lapidary
(Lap"i*da*ry), a. [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.

Lapidate
(Lap"i*date) v. t. [L. lapidatus, p. p. of lapidare, fr. lapis stone.] To stone. [Obs.]

Lapidation
(Lap`i*da"tion) n. [L. lapidatio: cf. F. lapidation.] The act of stoning. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Lapideous
(La*pid"e*ous) a. [L. lapideus, fr. lapis stone.] Of the nature of stone. [Obs.] Ray.

Lapidescence
(Lap`i*des"cence) n.

1. The state or quality of being lapidescent.

2. A hardening into a stone substance.

3. A stony concretion. Sir T. Browne.