stone

¹stone

noun \ˈstōn\

Definition of STONE

1

: a concretion of earthy or mineral matter: a (1) : such a concretion of indeterminate size or shape (2) : rock b : a piece of rock for a specified function: as (1) : a building block (2) : a paving block (3) : a precious stone : gem (4) : gravestone (5) : grindstone (6) : whetstone (7) : a surface upon which a drawing, text, or design to be lithographed is drawn or transferred

2

: something resembling a small stone: as a : calculus 3a b : the hard central portion of a drupaceous fruit (as a peach) c : a hard stony seed (as of a date)

3

plural usually stone : any of various units of weight; especially : an official British unit equal to 14 pounds (6.3 kilograms)

4

a : curling stone b : a round playing piece used in various games (as backgammon or go)

5

: a stand or table with a smooth flat top on which to impose or set type

— in stone

: in or into a permanent and unchangeable state <plans are not set in stone>

Examples of STONE

1. The pedestal is made of stone.
2. His birthdate and date of death were carved on the stone.

Origin of STONE

Middle English, from Old English stān; akin to Old High German stein stone, Old Church Slavic stěna wall, and perhaps to Sanskrit styāyate it hardens — more at steato-

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to STONE

Synonyms: gravestone, headstone, monument, tombstone

Related Words: cross, marker, plaque, table, tablet; monolith, obelisk, pillar; memorial, shrine; burial, sepulchre (or sepulcher), sepulture, tomb

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Other Weights and Measures Terms

avoirdupois weight, calorie, denier, kip, pace, twain

Rhymes with STONE

blown, bone, clone, cone, crone, drone, flown, groan, grown, hone, known, loan, lone, moan, Mon, none, own, phone, pone, prone, Rhône, roan, Saône, scone, sone, throne, tone, zone