holystone

[hoh-lee-stohn]

noun

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

verb (used with object)

holystoned, holystoning 

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

Dingy decks were holystoned white, and the rigging was taut, tarred, and dressed in its chafing gear.

From Literature

So I went inside to where he was holystoning the taproom table.

From Literature

The holystone is a large piece of porous stone,40 which is dragged in alternate ways by two sailors over the deck, sand being used to increase its effect.

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

He was so clean he looked as if he had been scrubbed with soap and then rubbed with holystone.

From Project Gutenberg