Toadstone

Toadstone
Toadstone Toad"stone`, n. 1. (Min.) A local name for the igneous rocks of Derbyshire, England; -- said by some to be derived from the German todter stein, meaning dead stone, that is, stone which contains no ores. [1913 Webster]

2. Bufonite, formerly regarded as a precious stone, and worn as a jewel. See {Bufonite}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • toadstone — (n.) stone or stone like object, supposedly magical (with healing or protective power) and found in the heads of certain toads, is attested from 1550s, from TOAD (Cf. toad) + STONE (Cf. stone) (n.). Translating Gk. batrakhites, M.L. bufonites; Cf …   Etymology dictionary

  • toadstone — [tōd′stōn΄] n. [ TOAD + STONE, based on L or Gr batrachitēs or MFr crapaudine] any stone or similar object formerly thought to have been formed inside a toad s head or body and often worn as a charm …   English World dictionary

  • Toadstone — A 1497 illustration by Johannes de Cuba, depicting the extraction and use of a toadstone The toadstone (not unlike the batrachite), also known as bufonite, is a mythical stone or gem thought to be found in, or produced by, a toad, and is supposed …   Wikipedia

  • toadstone — noun Date: 1558 a stone or similar object held to have formed in the head or body of a toad and formerly often worn as a charm or antidote to poison …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • toadstone — /tohd stohn /, n. any of various stones or stonelike objects, formerly supposed to have been formed in the head or body of a toad, worn as jewels or amulets. [1550 60; TOAD + STONE] * * * …   Universalium

  • toadstone — noun A small stone, once believed to be a jewel embedded in the head of a toad, worn as a amulet …   Wiktionary

  • toadstone —    Local term in the Peak District, England for lavas, tuffs and igneous intrusions within the local Carboniferous carbonate sequence …   Lexicon of Cave and Karst Terminology

  • toadstone — noun a gem, fossil tooth, or other stone formerly supposed to have been formed in the body of a toad, and credited with therapeutic or protective properties …   English new terms dictionary

  • toadstone — toad•stone [[t]ˈtoʊdˌstoʊn[/t]] n. jew any of various stonelike objects, usu. fossilized animal parts, formerly supposed to have been formed in the body of a toad, worn esp. as amulets to protect against poison …   From formal English to slang

  • toadstone — /ˈtoʊdstoʊn/ (say tohdstohn) noun any of various stones or stone like objects, formerly supposed to have been formed in the head or body of a toad, worn as jewels or amulets. {toad + stone; translation of Greek and Latin batrachītēs or Medieval… …  

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