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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

greenstone

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 ● Jan. 23, 2026

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 ● Apr. 17, 2024

The box also held three ceramic vessels, ear flares and a pair of greenstone beads.

From Reuters ● Sep. 25, 2023

Fault lines run through Man Chain and Kahshahpiwi Lakes, cleaving perfectly straight granite and greenstone shorelines.

From New York Times ● Oct. 21, 2016

Mr. Graves brought me a specimen of lamelliform granite attached to a mass of greenstone.

From Narrative of the surveying voyages of His Majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle, between the years 1826 and 1836 Volume I. - Proceedings of the First Expedition, 1826-1830 by Robert Fitzroy

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