snakestone

[sneyk-stohn]

noun

1. a piece of porous material popularly supposed to neutralize the toxic effect of a snakebite.

2. ayr stone.

Word History and Origins

Origin of snakestone¹

First recorded in 1655–65; snake + stone

Example Sentences

“Snakestone?” he said, to himself, not to the boy.

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He was polishing the metal clasp surrounding the snakestone, as gently and as carefully as an archaeologist on a dig, taking off the black and revealing the glittering silver beneath it.

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Snakestone: a name given to any substance used as a remedy for snake-bites; for example, some are of chalk, some of animal charcoal, and some of vegetable substances.

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