What is stone? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of stone

stonenoun

đá

/stəʊn/

Definition & pronunciation of <b>stone</b>

Where does the word stone come from?

The word "stone" has a long and ancient history. It comes from the Old English "stan", which is related to the Proto-Germanic "stainiz" and the Proto-Indo-European "dhe Smy". This root is also seen in other languages such as Dutch ("steen"), German ("Stein"), and Gothic ("stains"). In Old English, "stan" referred to a small rock, pebble, or stone, as well as a building material. The word has since evolved to include a range of meanings, including: 1. A small rock or pebble 2. A building material (e.g., limestone, granite) 3. A hard, unyielding object (e.g., a stone wall) 4. A person who is sturdy and unyielding (e.g., "a stone in the shoe") Throughout its evolution, the word "stone" has maintained its connection to the natural world, in addition to its various metaphorical meanings.

Vocabulary summary stone

typenoun

meaningstone

examplestone building: stone house

examplebuilt of stone

meaninghail

meaninggem, gem

typeadjective

meaningstone

examplestone building: stone house

examplebuilt of stone

Example of vocabulary stonehard substance

meaning

a hard solid mineral substance that is found in the ground, often used for building

  • Most of the houses are built of stone.
  • stone walls
  • a stone floor/bridge/carving/pillar/slab
  • a brick and stone building
  • a flight of stone steps
meaning

a small piece of rock of any shape

  • a pile of stones
  • Some children were throwing stones into the lake.
meaning

a piece of stone shaped for a particular purpose

  • These words are carved on the stone beside his grave.

Example of vocabulary stonejewel

meaning

a rare valuable stone, such as a diamond, that is used in jewellery

  • She had the stone set in a ring.

Example of vocabulary stonein fruit

meaning

a hard shell containing the nut or seed in the middle of some types of fruit

  • cherry/peach stones

Example of vocabulary stonein body

meaning

a small piece of hard material that can form in the bladder or kidney and cause pain

  • kidney stones

Example of vocabulary stonemeasurement of weight

meaning

(in the UK) a unit for measuring weight, equal to 6.35 kilograms or 14 pounds

  • He weighs over 15 stone.
  • She's trying to lose a stone.

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