- 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) 3plural 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>
