Soapstone

//ˈsoʊpˌstoʊn// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A soft rock, rich in talc, also containing serpentine and either magnetite, dolomite or calcite. countable, uncountable

    "To have a reliable fire, you'll need to carve a lamp from soapstone (you know what soapstone looks like, right?), render some oil for the lamp from blubber, and make a wick out of a particular species of moss."

  2. 2
    a soft heavy compact variety of talc having a soapy feel; used to make hearths and tabletops and ornaments wordnet
  3. 3
    Synonym of saponite. countable, uncountable
Verb
  1. 1
    To scrub with soapstone. transitive

Etymology

Etymology 1

From soap + stone; so called because the archetypal varieties of the stone resemble soap in multiple ways: their feel, appearance, and carvability. First use appears c. 1681, in the writings of Nehemiah Grew.

Etymology 2

From soap + stone; so called because the archetypal varieties of the stone resemble soap in multiple ways: their feel, appearance, and carvability. First use appears c. 1681, in the writings of Nehemiah Grew.

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