greenstone

American  

[green-stohn] / ˈgrinˌstoʊn /

noun

1. any of various altered basaltic rocks having a dark-green color caused by the presence of chlorite, epidote, etc.

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greenstone British  

/ ˈɡriːnˌstəʊn /

noun

1. any basic igneous rock that is dark green because of the presence of chlorite, actinolite, or epidote

2. a variety of jade used in New Zealand for ornaments and tools

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greenstone Scientific  

/ grēn′stōn′ /

1. Any of various green metamorphic rocks formed from igneous rocks that have a relatively low silica content and owe their color to the presence of a green mineral such as chlorite, hornblende, or epidote.

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Etymology

Origin of greenstone

First recorded in 1765–75; green + stone

Example Sentences

Houses and a “polished greenstone axe” dating to around 3800 B.C. have been excavated at Horton, west of London.

From The Wall Street Journal

Along with the bones, the researchers found 1470 fragments of greenstone pendants, beads, plaques, and mosaics.

From Science Magazine

Some had exploded into many fragments because of the high temperatures, but the researchers were able to reconstruct a few, such as a greenstone bird figurine, a mask with two polished obsidian eyes, and a greenstone carved diadem.

From Science Magazine

The greenstone ornaments are typical of the Late Classic period and the mask and diadem are known to be exclusive to Maya royalty.

From Science Magazine

The researchers analysed well-preserved particles of carbonaceous matter -- the altered remains of living organisms -- and the corresponding rock layers from samples of the Barberton greenstone belt, a mountain range in South Africa whose rocks are among the oldest on the Earth's surface.

From Science Daily