I.a little stone, a pebble (perh. not ante-Aug.).
I. In gen.: “invitat somnos crepitantibus unda lapillis,” Ov. M. 11, 604; Plin. 10, 23, 30, § 59 sq. —Lucky days were marked with white, and unlucky ones with black stones (cf. calculus, 2. e.); “hence: felix utraque lux diesque nobis Signandi melioribus lapillis,” i. e. with white stones, Mart. 9, 53, 5; cf.: “hunc Macrine, diem numera meliore lapillo,” Pers. 2, 1; cf. also Plin. 7, 40, 41, § 131. —In trials at law, a white stone was cast as a vote for acquittal, a black stone for condemnation: “mos erat antiquus niveis atrisque lapillis, His damnare reos, illis absolvere culpa,” Ov. M. 15, 41.—
II. In partic.
A. Stone in the bladder, gravel: “ejectus calculoso,” Plin. 28, 4, 9, § 42.—
B. A precious stone, gem, jewel; marble, etc.: inter niveos viridesque lapillos, i. e. pearls and emeralds, Hor. S. 1, 2, 80: “caris aures onerare lapillis,” Ov. A. A. 3, 129: “indici,” Mart. 1, 110, 4: “Libyci,” bits of Numidian marble, Hor. Ep. 1, 10, 19.—
C. A tombstone, Inscr. ap. Murat. 1536, 6; cf. Burm. Anth. Lat. 2, p. 269.
