Lap`i*des"cent (?), a. [L. lapidescens, p. pr. of lapidescere to become stone, fr. lapis, -idis, stone: cf. F. lapidescent.] Undergoing the process of becoming stone; having the capacity of being converted into stone; having the quality of petrifying bodies.

Lap"i*des"cent, n. Any substance which has the quality of petrifying other bodies, or of converting or being converted into stone.