oil-stone
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of sharpening stone used for honing and polishing cutting tools, such as knives, chisels, or plane blades, which is lubricated with oil during use to reduce friction and carry away metal particles.
Usage Examples
- (He used the stone with oil to refine the cutting edge of the chisel.)
- (The stone was specifically used with oil for sharpening.)
Advanced Usage
- "to dress an oil-stone": to flatten or resurface an oil-stone to maintain its effectiveness.
- After years of use, he had to dress the oil-stone with a special abrasive powder. (He restored the stone's flat surface for even sharpening.)
Variants and Related Words
Oilstone (n): an alternative spelling of "oil-stone," referring to the same sharpening tool.
- The oilstone required a light coating of mineral oil before each use. (The stone needed oil for proper function.)
Sharpening stone (n): a broader category that includes oil-stones, water-stones, and diamond stones.
- A sharpening stone can be either an oil-stone or a water-stone. (The category includes various lubricated stones.)
Synonyms
- Honing stone: a stone used to refine the edge of a blade, often with oil or water.
- Whetstone: a general term for a stone used for sharpening, though typically lubricated with water rather than oil.
Related Idioms
- "To have an edge": to have an advantage or superior quality, derived metaphorically from tool sharpening.
- With that new oil-stone, his knives have a real edge. (His knives are exceptionally sharp, giving him a practical advantage.)