lazuli
UK[ˈlæz.jʊ.laɪ]US[ˈlæz.jʊ.li]
n
a bright blue mineral, lapis lazuli, or the pigment made from it.
n
the bright blue color characteristic of lapis lazuli.
Etymology
the word 'lazuli' entered english in the 14th century via medieval latin 'lazulum', which itself came from the persian 'lāzhuward' or 'lāzhward'. this persian term referred to both lapis lazuli and the region of badakhshan, a historic source of the stone. the name of the prized blue gemstone thus traveled from a specific geographic origin to become the general term for its color and substance. the modern english word is almost always used in the compound 'lapis lazuli', where 'lapis' is latin for 'stone', forming the literal phrase 'stone of azure'.
Analysis
this word is a loanword adopted as a simplex unit. it does not contain separable morphemes within modern english spelling.
Examples
the artist ground lapis lazuli to create a vibrant blue pigment for the painting.
the necklace was made of beads carved from genuine lazuli.
the deep lazuli of the evening sky was breathtaking.