Pumice-Stone
/ˈpjuː.mɪs stoʊn/noun
A light, porous volcanic rock used for abrasion and polishing.
Did you know?The word comes from Latin *pumex*, referring to a spongy volcanic rock, and the modern English form preserves that ancient image of stone that looks almost alive with holes.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
pumex
“pumice; a porous volcanic stone”
Old French
Old French
pomis / pomice
“pumice”
Middle English
English
pomys / pumis
“pumice”
14th–15th Century
English
pumice-stone
“pumice stone; a rough abrasive stone”
Modern English
English
pumice-stone
“a light, porous volcanic rock used for abrasion and polishing”