lithic

¹ American  

[lith-ik] / ˈlɪθ ɪk /

adjective

1. pertaining to or consisting of stone.

2. Petrology. pertaining to clastic rocks, either sedimentary or volcanic, containing a large proportion of debris from previously formed rocks.

   a lithic sandstone; lithic tuff.

3. Pathology. pertaining to stony concretions, or calculi, formed within the body, especially in the bladder.

4. Chemistry. of, relating to, or containing lithium.

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noun

1. Archaeology. a stone artifact.

-lithic ² American  

1. a combining form used in the names of cultural phases in archaeology characterized by the use of stone tools: Chalcolithic; Neolithic.

2. a combining form meaning “of or relating to stone,” used to form adjectives: megalithic; monolithic.

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lithic ¹ British  

/ ˈlɪθɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or composed of stone

2. containing abundant fragments of previously formed rock

   a lithic sandstone

3. pathol of or relating to a calculus or calculi, esp one in the urinary bladder

4. of or containing lithium

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-lithic ² British  

combining form

1. (in anthropology) relating to the use of stone implements in a specified cultural period

   Neolithic

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Usage

What does -lithic mean? The combining form -lithic is used like a suffix used to name cultural phases in archaeology characterized by the use of a particular type of tool. Essentially, it is used in the names of eras of human history. It is most often used in archaeological and anthropological terms. The form -lithic comes from Greek lithikós, meaning “of stone.”Corresponding forms of -lithic combined to the beginning of words are litho- and -lith. Learn more at our Words That Use articles for these forms.

Other Word Forms

• lithically adverb
• prelithic adjective

Etymology

Origin of lithic¹

First recorded in 1790–1800, lithic is from the Greek word lithikós of stone. See lith-, -ic

Origin of -lithic²

see origin at lithic

Example Sentences

The wholesale transition from the realm of living fire to that of lithic fire may stand as a working definition of the Anthropocene.

From Slate • May 16, 2016

Angular sand-sized grains are approximately 70% quartz, 20% lithic, and 10% feldspar.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

His research interests include archaeological methods, lithic analysis, and the origins of modern culture.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 24, 2012

All of her ash was lithic, old stony stuff created from her own edifice.

From Scientific American • Jul. 7, 2012

There was nothing very remarkable in the character of the urine; the quantity voided was small, and very high coloured, with occasionally a lithic deposit.

From An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis or Ulceration Induced by Carbonaceous Accumulation in the Lungs of Coal Miners by Makellar, Archibald

Related Words

• craggy
• jagged
• rough