Defining lapidarical

Question

In this study of The Great Chain of Being, Diamonds among other various gems are classified as a lapidarical primate.
The Oxford Dictionary does not include lapidarical or even it's root word, lapid. Wikipedia and various online sources cite Lapid as an Israeli community settlement but I don't think that is the appropriate definition here.
My English teacher suggested that it could perhaps be describing a property unique to the various gems described (Diamond, rubies, sapphires, topaz, chrysolite) however the question remains as to what.
What does lapidarical mean?

Greybeard · Answer

What does lapidarical mean?

A search of the OED for words beginning "lapidar..." gives

† lapidar, adj. First recorded ?1764
...Of the nature of stone....

lapidarian, adj. First recorded 1683
...Executed in, or inscribed on, stone....

† lapidarious, adj. First recorded 1656
...Consisting of stones: stony....

lapidarist, n. First recorded 1607
...= lapidary1a2b; also figurative....

lapidary, adj. and n. First recorded a1382
...Of an inscription, etc.: Engraved on stone, esp. monumental stones.Of style, etc.: Characteristic of or suitable for monumental
inscriptions....

Given the length of time that words beginning "lapidar..." have been in the language, and given the absence from the OED of "lapidarical", I would say that it is not a recognised word.

Defining lapidarical

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