Definition

1. Noun:
   • A hard, coarse-grained siliceous sandstone: Gritstone is a type of sedimentary rock composed primarily of sand-sized grains, notably hard and angular, cemented together by a silica matrix. It is characterized by its rough texture and durability.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old mill was built from local gritstone, which has weathered centuries of storms.
  • Climbers appreciate the excellent friction provided by gritstone outcrops.
  • The geologist identified the layer as a classic gritstone due to its coarse grain and high silica content.

Advanced Usage

• As a geological term: In geology, "gritstone" specifically denotes a sandstone where the grains are angular (gritty) and the cement is siliceous, making it very resistant to erosion.
  • The quarry exposes a thick sequence of Carboniferous gritstone.

Variants and Related Words

• Grit (noun): Can refer to small, loose, hard particles of sand or stone, or metaphorically to courage and resolve. It is also the granular material that gives gritstone its name.
  • The path was covered in grit.
• Gritrock (noun): A synonym for gritstone.
• Sandstone (noun): The broader category of sedimentary rocks to which gritstone belongs.

Synonyms

• Gritrock
• Grit (in geological contexts)
• Arenite (a general term for sandstone)

Related Phrases/Compounds

• Millstone Grit: A specific and famous stratigraphic unit of gritstone in the UK, historically used for millstones.
  • The Peak District is known for its Millstone Grit landscapes.

Noun

1. a hard coarse-grained siliceous sandstone