A growing assortment of words and definitions used in the Early Modern era. See the Guide for more information.
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Lapidable
Worthy of being stoned. In 17th and 18th century dictionaries. John Phillips (1706), however, defined lapidable as marriageable, fit for a husband. Originally lap meant a fold in a garment; especially a fold of the toga over the breast, serving as a pocket or pouch; the use of this, in such phrases as the lap and bosom of the Church, led to the current sense. Latin lapis, stone, has given us many English forms, e.g., lapidify, to turn to stone; cp.lapidity. lapidescence, turning to stone, as was the lot of those that looked Medusa in the eye; petrifaction (Latin peter, rock, on which the Catholic church stands).
