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novaculite

noun
no·​vac·​u·​lite | \ nō-ˈva-kyə-ˌlīt How to pronounce novaculite (audio) \

Definition of novaculite

: a very hard fine-grained siliceous rock used for whetstones and possibly of sedimentary origin

First Known Use of novaculite

1794, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for novaculite

Latin novāculum "razor" (from novā- —going back to earlier *ksneu̯ā- "scrape smooth, sharpen"— + -culum, instrumental suffix, going back to *-tlom) + -ite entry 1; *ksneu̯ā-, probably derivative of an Indo-European adjective *ksneu̯͟-o- "scraped smooth," from a verbal base *ksneu̯- "scrape (until sharp or smooth)" (whence, with ablaut variation, Sanskrit kṣṇáuti "(s/he) whets, sharpens," kṣṇutáḥ "sharpened," kṣṇótram "whetstone," Avestan hu-xšnutō "well-sharpened"), iterative derivative of *kseu̯-, whence Greek xýō, xeîn "to shave, smooth"

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More from Merriam-Webster on novaculite

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about novaculite

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