holystone

== English == === Etymology === Uncertain, but equivalent to holy +‎ stone. As an amulet, probably from holey (“having a hole”). As a scouring stone, variously derived from holey, from the amulet, from its association with Sunday cleaning, from its users' adoption of a kneeling position similar to prayer, and (least likely) from their original provision by raiding graveyards for tombstones. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈhəʊl.ɪ.stəʊn/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈhoʊl.i.stoʊn/ === Noun === holystone (plural holystones) (nautical) A piece of soft sandstone used for scouring the wooden decks of ships, usually with sand and seawater. [1823] Synonym: bible Hyponym: prayer book (small) A stone with a naturally-formed hole, used by Yorkshiremen for good luck. [1825] ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === holystone (third-person singular simple present holystones, present participle holystoning, simple past and past participle holystoned) (transitive) To use a holystone. [1827] ==== Translations ==== === References === “holy stone | holy-stone, n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1899. “ˈholystone, v.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1899.