lapis lazuli

la·pis la·zu·li | \ ˌla-pəs-ˈla-zə-lē

How to pronounce lapis lazuli (audio)

, -ˈla-zhə- \

Definition of lapis lazuli

: a semiprecious stone that is usually rich azure blue and is essentially a complex silicate often with spangles of pyrites

— called also lapis

Examples of lapis lazuli in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As for the jewels themselves, soft or porous stones, including pearl, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and opal, are more vulnerable to damage and should not be exposed to any chemicals including hand sanitizer. — Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, "Can Hand Sanitizer Ruin Your Rings?," 6 July 2020 At least 650 years old, its calfskin pages are still vibrantly illuminated with gold, lapis lazuli and malachite. — The Economist, "Exodus and odyssey Why is this Haggadah different from all others?," 16 Apr. 2020 Egyptian blue got its start as an artificial replacement for dye made of lapis lazuli, a semiprecious stone mined in a region that is now Afghanistan. — Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, "New Tool for Biomedical Research Was Invented in Ancient Egypt," 1 Apr. 2020 Celeste will showcase some rare minerals and crystals, including Madagascar rose quartz, selenite, quartz crystal moons and lapis Lazuli, a metamorphic rock prized since antiquity and used as a semi-precious stone in her jewelry. — Rich Heileman, cleveland, "Pulizzi, Griffin to deliver keynotes at BW event: Around The Town," 28 Feb. 2020 Crushed lapis lazuli, a blue semi-precious stone, was intermingled with the turquoise for added color effect. — Colin Moore, Outdoor Life, "The 16 Most Awesome Turkey And Duck Calls You’ve Ever Seen," 19 Feb. 2020 Woolley unearthed five boards, the most impressive of which featured shell plaque squares encircled by strips of lapis lazuli and decorated with intricate floral and geometric designs. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, "The Best Board Games of the Ancient World," 6 Feb. 2020 Her elaborate headdress was made of 20 gold leaves, lapis lazuli and carnelian beads, as well as a large golden comb. — National Geographic, "The royal tombs of Ur revealed Mesopotamia's golden splendor," 22 May 2019 Researchers even find cultural clues – bright blue lapis lazuli trapped in a medieval nun’s calculus led historians to reconsider who penned illuminated manuscripts. — Elizabeth Sawchuk, Smithsonian Magazine, "Archaeologists Are Unearthing the Stories of the Past Faster Than Ever Before," 27 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lapis lazuli.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near lapis lazuli

lapis lazuli blue

lapis lazuli ware

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Last Updated

16 Jul 2020

Cite this Entry

“Lapis lazuli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lapis%20lazuli. Accessed 15 Aug. 2020.

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