holystone

[ hoh-lee-stohn ]

noun

1. a block of soft sandstone used in scrubbing the decks of a ship.

verb (used with object)

, ho·ly·stoned, ho·ly·ston·ing.

1. to scrub with a holystone.

holystone

/ ˈhəʊlɪˌstəʊn /

noun

1. a soft sandstone used for scrubbing the decks of a vessel

verb

1. tr to scrub (a vessel's decks) with a holystone

Word History and Origins

Origin of holystone¹

1815–25; holy + stone; perhaps originally jocular or profane

Word History and Origins

Origin of holystone¹

C19: perhaps so named from its being used in a kneeling position

Example Sentences

If my boot should leave a stain on the marble, George must not holystone it away.

From The Daily Beast

He went to the pump for more water, and the man crawled back to his holystone.

From Project Gutenberg

He pointed to a man who with one hand was rubbing a small holystone in a corner where a large one would not go.

From Project Gutenberg

Birch stooped over his holystone, and Peters turned to go forward again.

From Project Gutenberg

A small flint or stone having a natural hole in it, and worn as a charm, is also called a holystone.

From Project Gutenberg

At five o'clock we have to get up and go inside again so they can holystone the deck.

From Project Gutenberg