pipestone

American  

[pahyp-stohn] / ˈpaɪpˌstoʊn /

noun

1. a reddish argillaceous stone used by North American Indians for making tobacco pipes.

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pipestone British  

/ ˈpaɪpˌstəʊn /

noun

1. a variety of consolidated red clay used by Native Americans to make tobacco pipes

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Etymology

Origin of pipestone

First recorded in 1755–65; pipe ¹ + stone

Example Sentences

The pipe itself is thought to become sacred when the pipestone bowl and the wooden stem are joined.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 16, 2023

Teaching the techniques of quarrying and carving is crucially important, and so is helping youth develop a relationship with the pipestone and its place in the Native worldview.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 16, 2023

Within tribes, there’s disagreement over whether pipes should be sold, especially to non-Natives, and the pipestone used to make other art objects like carved animal figures.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 16, 2023

Only hand tools can be used to avoid damaging the pipestone.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 16, 2023

The bowl was red pipestone in the shape of an otter’s head, his clan.

From "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich