Pumice
/ˈpʌm.ɪs/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A light, porous type of pyroclastic igneous rock, formed during explosive volcanic eruptions when liquid lava is ejected into water or air as a froth containing masses of gas bubbles, which are frozen into the rock as the lava solidifies. countable, uncountable
"The wind blew close to the ground - it rooted among the tussock grass - slithered along the road, so that the white pumice dust swirled in our faces - settled and sifted over us and was like a dry-skin itching for growth on our bodies."
- 2 a light glass formed on the surface of some lavas; used as an abrasive wordnet
Verb
- 1 To abrade or roughen with pumice. transitive
- 2 rub with pumice, in order to clean or to smoothen wordnet
Example
More examples"I rub the soles of my feet with pumice in order to smooth them."
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman and Old French pomis (“pumice stone”), from Latin pūmex (“pumice stone”). Doublet of pounce.