| 释义 |
soap-stone Min.|ˈsəʊpstəʊn|
Also soap stone, soapstone.
[soap n. Cf. G. seif(en)stein.]
A massive variety of talc, of which various kinds are found in several countries, having a smooth greasy feel, and used for various economical or ornamental purposes (occas. as a soap); soap-rock, steatite; also loosely applied to certain soft clays, etc.
1681Grew Musæum iii. i. vi. 321 Soap-Stone, Steatites;..seeming like hard Suet, greasie to the touch. 1778W. Pryce Min. Cornub. 31 Steatites or Soap Stone, which is in such plenty. 1799Weld Trav. N. Amer. 385 A stone of a very soft texture, called the soap stone, is very commonly found in the back parts of North America. 1837Dana Min. 261 The soapstone..at Lizard Point, Cornwall, when first extracted, may be kneaded like dough. 1850Lyell 2nd Visit U.S. II. 50 At Centreport these unctuous marls or calcareous clays [of the chalk formation] are called by the people soap-stone. 1850Ansted Elem. Geol., Min., etc. 195 Saponite, Piotine, Kerolite, Soapstone (not Steatite). 1851Catal. Gt. Exhib. 1422/1 Chinese figures of soapstone. 1883Gresley Gloss. Coal-m. 229 Soapstone, a variety of fireclay, sometimes applied to Bind.
attrib.1875Knight Dict. Mech. 2201/1 Soapstone pencils, made from a peculiar stone found near Castleton, Vt. 1883Cent. Mag. XXVI. 596/2 The hearth of an open soap⁓stone stove. 1884Pall Mall G. 24 July 12/1 Works of art in Foochow soap-stone ware.
b. A slab or piece of this, fashioned for some special purpose.
1890Cent. Mag. XL. 531 He..fished up a disused soap⁓stone.., put it on the stove.., and stood erect..till the soap⁓stone was warm. |