limestone

An abundant rock of marine and freshwater sediments; primarily composed of calcite (CaCO₃); and occurring in a variety of forms, both crystalline and amorphous.

Noun

  1. An abundant rock of marine and freshwater sediments; primarily composed of calcite (CaCO₃); and occurring in a variety of forms, both crystalline and amorphous.
    • a limestone viaduct
    • The house was a big elaborate limestone affair, evidently new. Winter sunshine sparkled on lace-hung casement, on glass marquise, and the burnished bronze foliations of grille and door. - 1907 August, Robert W[illiam]...
    • As each blast furnace uses 200 tons of limestone daily, and each limestone kiln 150 tons, a total of 730 tons of limestone has to be carried daily, in addition to limestone chippings, which are sold. - 1939 July, “What...

Origin

Etymology tree English lime Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- Proto-Indo-European *steyh₂- Proto-Indo-European *stoyh₂nos Proto-Germanic *stainaz Proto-West Germanic *stain Old English stān Middle English ston English stone English limestone From lime + stone.

Forms

limestones

Synonyms

lime calcium carbonate

Hyponyms

bluestone burrstone calp coquina coral rag chalk malm marble travertine tufa

Related

karst

Derived

honeycomb limestone hydraulic limestone Limestone Coast Limestone County limestone hawksbeard limestone pavement limestone salamander lithographic limestone magnesian limestone mountain limestone scar limestone