novaculite

[noh-vak-yuh-lahyt]

noun

Petrology.

1. a very hard sedimentary rock, similar to chert, composed essentially of microcrystalline quartz.

novaculite

/ nəʊˈvækjʊˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a fine-grained dense hard rock containing quartz and feldspar: used as a whetstone

Word History and Origins

Origin of novaculite¹

1790–1800; < Latin novācul ( a ) a sharp knife, razor + -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of novaculite¹

C18: from Latin novācula sharp knife, razor, from novāre to renew

Example Sentences

The Quapaw and Caddo peoples lived here for thousands of years, mining the region’s ubiquitous novaculite, a type of flint stone, for weapons.

From Washington Post

Nature offers bizarrely dangling deadfall, glistening bits of white novaculite, fruiting wild shrubs, tweety birds, critter holes.

From Washington Times

The memorial consists of a bronze plaque along with the iconic park ranger campaign hat mounted on a Novaculite boulder.

From Washington Times

The finest of the novaculite rocks of central Arkansas are quarried near the city.

From Project Gutenberg

Novaculite, nō-vak′ū-līt, n. a hone-stone.

From Project Gutenberg