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oilstone

American  
[oil-stohn] / ˈɔɪlˌstoʊn /

noun

  1. a block of fine-grained stone, usually oiled, for putting the final edge on certain cutting tools by abrasion.


oilstone British  
/ ˈɔɪlˌstəʊn /

noun

  1. a stone with a fine grain lubricated with oil and used for sharpening cutting tools See also whetstone

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of oilstone

First recorded in 1575–85; oil + stone

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He sat cross-legged beside the fire, honing the edge of his longsword with an oilstone.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

"There, across the yard, at the door of the armory, do you see the boy squatting by the steps honing a sword with an oilstone?"

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

Under the head of oilstones or hones proper the most famous and best-known qualities are the German razor hone, the Turkey oilstone, and the Arkansas stone.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 6 "Home, Daniel" to "Hortensius, Quintus" by Various

The face of the regulator is now placed on the ground glass after smearing it with oil and oilstone dust.

From Watch and Clock Escapements A Complete Study in Theory and Practice of the Lever, Cylinder and Chronometer Escapements, Together with a Brief Account of the Origin and Evolution of the Escapement in Horology by Anonymous

But the narrower the face on the end of the scraper, the easier it is to resharpen it on the oilstone, because there is less area to oilstone.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua

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