pumice

[ puhm-is ]

noun

1. Also called pumice stone. a porous or spongy form of volcanic glass, used as an abrasive.

verb (used with object)

, pum·iced, pum·ic·ing.

1. to rub, smooth, clean, etc., with pumice.

pumice

/ ˈpʌmɪs; pjuːˈmɪʃəs /

noun

1. Also calledpumice stone a light porous acid volcanic rock having the composition of rhyolite, used for scouring and, in powdered form, as an abrasive and for polishing

verb

1. tr to rub or polish with pumice

pumice

/ pŭm′ĭs /

1. A usually light-colored, porous, lightweight rock of volcanic origin. The pores form when water vapor and gases escape from the lava during its quick solidification into rock.

Derived Forms

• pumiceous, adjective

Other Words From

• pu·mi·ceous [pyoo-, mish, -, uh, s], adjective
• pumic·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pumice¹

First recorded before 1000; from Latin pūmic-, stem of pūmex “pumice stone”; replacing Middle English pomis(e), pomish(e), pomice, from Middle French pomis, from Latin; compare Old English pumic- (from Latin ), in pumicstān “pumice stone”; pounce ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of pumice¹

C15 pomys, from Old French pomis, from Latin pūmex

Example Sentences

By analyzing fist-sized pumice rocks in the volcano’s vicinity with radiometric dating, the researchers calculated that the eruption took place around 233,000 years ago.

From Popular-Science

When you pot your plant, you can add a lightweight volcanic rock like perlite or pumice for better drainage, especially for plants like succulents that prefer drier soils.

From Popular-Science

The top and bottom (fronts) were trimmed perfectly smooth, polished with pumice-stone, and often painted black.

From Project Gutenberg

He banked left and followed the contour of the mountain, and found another group of soldiers camped near the pumice works.

From Project Gutenberg

They've probably set things up at the pumice works if there's water there.

From Project Gutenberg

Rick circled low over the pumice works while the loud-speakers blasted at the troops below.

From Project Gutenberg

Kneeling with one knee upon the ground, each took me by a leg and began rubbing the soles of my feet with a pumice stone.

From Project Gutenberg