cobble-stone

A worker lays a cobble-stone on the old street.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small, rounded stone used for paving: "cobble-stone" refers to a naturally rounded or artificially shaped stone, typically of a size that can be held in one hand, historically used in paving roads, streets, or courtyards. These stones are often arranged closely together to form a durable, uneven surface.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old city street was paved with cobble-stones, giving it a charming, historic appearance. (Rounded stones used as paving material.)
  • She tripped on a loose cobble-stone while walking down the alley. (A single stone in a paved surface.)

Advanced Usage

• "cobble-stone street": a road or path surfaced with cobble-stones.

  • Tourists enjoy walking along the narrow cobble-stone streets of the ancient town. (A street paved with small, rounded stones.)

• "cobble-stone paving": the process or result of laying cobble-stones as a surface.

  • The restoration project included authentic cobble-stone paving to preserve the historical feel. (The use of cobble-stones for surfacing.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cobble (noun): a single small stone, especially one used in paving; also a verb meaning to mend or repair roughly.
  • He picked up a cobble from the beach. (A small, rounded stone.)
• Cobbled (adjective): covered or paved with cobble-stones.
  • The cobbled path wound through the garden. (Surfaced with cobble-stones.)
• Cobblestone (noun): an alternative spelling of "cobble-stone", used interchangeably.
  • The road was made of cobblestone. (Same as cobble-stone.)

Synonyms

• Paving stone: a stone used for paving surfaces.
• Set: a small, rectangular paving stone, often used in formal paving.
• Flagstone: a flat, larger stone used for paving, distinct from the rounded shape of a cobble-stone.

Related Idioms

• "cobble-stone path": a metaphorical expression for a difficult or uneven journey.
  • His career was a cobble-stone path, full of unexpected obstacles. (A challenging, uneven progression.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Cobble together (verb phrase): to assemble or repair something hastily or roughly, often using available materials.
  • They cobbled together a shelter from branches and leaves. (Assembled quickly and roughly.)

Additional Notes

• Historical context: Cobble-stones were widely used in European and American street paving from the 18th to early 20th centuries, providing durable surfaces for horse-drawn carriages and early automobiles. They are now often preserved in historic districts for their aesthetic and cultural value.