freestone

American  

[free-stohn] / ˈfriˌstoʊn /

noun

1. a fruit having a stone to which the flesh does not cling, as certain peaches and plums.

2. the stone itself.

3. any stone, as sandstone, that can be freely worked or quarried, especially one that cuts well in all directions without splitting.

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adjective

1. having a stone from which the flesh is easily separated.

freestone British  

/ ˈfriːˌstəʊn /

noun

1. 1. any fine-grained stone, esp sandstone or limestone, that can be cut and worked in any direction without breaking

   2. ( as modifier )

      a freestone house

2. botany

   1. a fruit, such as a peach, in which the flesh separates readily from the stone

   2. ( as modifier ) Compare clingstone

      a freestone peach

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Etymology

Origin of freestone

1250–1300; Middle English freston ( see free, stone); translation of Old French franche piere; see frank ¹

Example Sentences

The flesh on these peaches clings to the pit and can be more cumbersome to remove, but they are softer, sweeter and juicier than their freestone cousins.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 4, 2024

One of two overarching classifications, freestone peaches are the most widely available.

From Salon • Sep. 4, 2021

Roughly 25 acres are devoted to freestone peaches, so it’s a picker’s paradise.

From Washington Post • Aug. 6, 2021

Sometimes people ask me for recipes and consult on how to tell the difference between a clingstone and freestone peach.

From The Guardian • Sep. 1, 2020

The Princess, however, expressed an especial disgust to the awkwardly cut gods and goddesses in freestone, naiads and dryads, with which the park, in former days, was filled.

From The Devil's Elixir Vol. I (of 2) by Hoffmann, E. T. A. (Ernst Theodor Amadeus)