baetyl

[ beet-l ]

noun

, Classical Antiquity.

1. a meteorite or stone held sacred or believed to be of divine origin.

Other Words From

• bae·tyl·ic [bee-, til, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of baetyl¹

1850–55; < Latin baetulus < Greek baítȳlos meteoric stone

Example Sentences

At the foot of one of the trilithons was found a baetyl 51 inches in height, now in the museum at Valletta.

From Project Gutenberg

It has been suggested that this pit was made to hold the base of the cult-object, whether it was a baetyl or an idol.

From Project Gutenberg

This pillar can hardly be anything but a baetyl, or sacred stone.

From Project Gutenberg