firestone

Thân thiện

A mason carefully places a firestone to line the fireplace.

Definition

Noun: 1. A type of sandstone: A dense, siliceous sandstone that is highly resistant to intense heat. It is historically used to line the interiors of fireplaces, furnaces, and kilns. 2. A piece of flint: A piece of flint (or iron pyrite) that is struck against steel to produce sparks for starting a fire.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Sandstone):
  • The old forge was lined with firestone to contain the extreme heat.
  • They quarried firestone to build the lining for the new pottery kiln.
• Noun (Flint):
  • The survival kit included a steel striker and a piece of firestone.
  • Before matches, people used firestone and tinder to ignite a flame.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Technical Context: The term is primarily used in historical, geological, or traditional craftsmanship contexts (e.g., blacksmithing, historical restoration). In modern construction, refractory bricks have largely replaced it.
• Figurative Use (Rare): Can be used poetically to describe something very hard or durable.
  • His resolve was like firestone, unyielding and tough.

Variants and Related Words

• Flint: A hard, sedimentary form of quartz that can be used as a firestone. Often used synonymously in the context of starting fires.
• Iron pyrite ("Fool's gold"): A mineral that can also be used as a firestone when struck against steel.
• Hearthstone: A stone forming a hearth; sometimes made of firestone.
• Refractory stone: A more general technical term for heat-resistant stone.

Synonyms

• For the sandstone: Ganister, Quartzite (in certain forms), refractory sandstone.
• For the flint: Flint, Strike-a-light, Spark stone.

Related Phrases

• To strike a firestone: The action of hitting a flint or pyrite against steel to create sparks.
  • He practiced how to strike a firestone efficiently.

Related Idioms

• (As) hard as firestone: An idiom emphasizing extreme hardness or durability.
  • The old bread was as hard as firestone.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a sandstone that withstands intense heat; used to line fireplaces and furnaces and kilns
2. a piece of flint that is struck to light a fire