Main Entry: ¹stone

Pronunciation: \ˈstōn\

Function: noun

Etymology: 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-

Date: before 12th century

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>