lapidate
verbUS /ˈlæpɪˌdeɪt/
Etymology First attested in 1623; borrowed from Latin lapidātus, perfect passive participle of lapidō (“to throw stones at”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from lapis (“stone”).
1
Law To throw stones or other objects at, as punishment, sometimes until death.
- the host (in tailcoat, grey cravat, purple vest) is lapidated by his wife while he loudly cries: "Maggie—please save a cup fer coffee in the morning."1932 February 1, “Jiggs & Maggie”, in Time Magazine:
- On August 27, 2002, a Nigerian court ordered the mother of a newborn child, Amina Lawal, to be publicly lapidated for adultery.2003 August 17, Daily Times:
2
Figuratively To hurl insults at.
- The hour-long (and far too slow-paced) show: Malice in Wonderland, by lampooning, lapidating S. J. Perelman, veteran of movie-writing stints1959 January 26, “Top of the Week”, in Time Magazine:
- Related terms
- dilapidate, lapidarian, lapidary, lapidation, lapidify, lapillus