soapstone

American  

[sohp-stohn] / ˈsoʊpˌstoʊn /

noun

1. a massive variety of talc with a soapy or greasy feel, used for hearths, washtubs, tabletops, carved ornaments, etc.

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soapstone British  

/ ˈsəʊpˌstəʊn /

noun

1. Also called: steatite.  a massive compact soft variety of talc, used for making tabletops, hearths, ornaments, etc

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soapstone Scientific  

/ sōp′stōn′ /

1. A soft metamorphic rock composed mostly of the mineral talc, but also including chlorite, pyroxene, and amphibole. It has a schistose texture and is greasy to the touch. Soapstone forms through the alteration of ferromagnesian silicate minerals during metamorphism.

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Etymology

Origin of soapstone

First recorded in 1675–85; soap + stone

Example Sentences

Mr. Zuckerberg recently name-checked the Soapstone during an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, which has millions more listeners than Horizon’s last confirmed tally of hundreds of thousands of users.

From New York Times • Oct. 7, 2022

The Soapstone Valley Trail, about a half-mile away in Rock Creek Park, leads to the Beach Drive walking and biking path.

From Washington Post • Nov. 29, 2021

He has placed the sculpture in front of his business, the Vermont Marble, Granite, Slate & Soapstone Co.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 7, 2017

Ten charter bus-loads of spectators stand a hundred yards back behind a yellow rope in Larimer County’s Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, a healthy breeze whipping hair in their faces and setting the knee-high grass aquiver.

From Washington Times • Nov. 7, 2015

Soapstone is cut into slabs for laundry tubs, laboratory table tops, and other structural purposes.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)