Lazaward

Part of speech: adverb, adjective

Definitions

1. An archaic name for lapis lazuli, the deep blue semi-precious stone ; the rich azure blue shade associated with that gemstone
2. A former term for the semi-precious blue mineral lapis lazuli ; the intense ultramarine hue that the stone is known for
3. Old word for the vivid blue stone lapis lazuli used in jewelry and painting ; the strong deep blue tint of that stone

Etymology: The word that survives in English as "azure" once had an initial "l" that was lost by mistake. In Arabic the blue stone was "lazaward," from Persian "lājward," the name for lapis lazuli. Medieval Latin borrowed it as "lazurium," and Old French then spoke it as "l'azur," with the article "l'" attached. Speakers heard "azur" as the noun and dropped the "l," and that shorter form is what became "azure" in English. The "l" was never part of the stone's name in those languages. "Lazaward" itself came into English in the Middle Ages, probably through French or Latin, and named both the deep blue mineral and the ultramarine pigment ground from it. It was used mainly in painting and writing about colour, and it fell out of use once "ultramarine" and "azure" took over its work.