lăpillus (noun M) : dim.lapis
* A little stone, a pebble (perh. not ante-Aug.).
* 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.
* In partic.
* Stone in the bladder, gravel: ejectus calculoso,Plin. 28, 4, 9, § 42.
* A precious stone, gem, jewel; marble, etc.: inter niveos viridesque lapillos, i. e. pearls andemeralds, 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.
* A tombstone, Inscr. ap. Murat. 1536, 6; cf. Burm. Anth. Lat. 2, p. 269.

s. TLL