n.
Pronunciation: ' st ō n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English st ā n; akin to Old High German stein stone, Old Church Slavic st ě na wall, and perhaps to Sanskrit sty ā yate 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 >