snakestone

[ sneyk-stohn ]

noun

1. a piece of porous material popularly supposed to neutralize the toxic effect of a snakebite.
2. ayr stone.

Word History and Origins

Origin of snakestone¹

First recorded in 1655–65; snake + stone

Example Sentences

“Snakestone?” he said, to himself, not to the boy.

From Literature

He was polishing the metal clasp surrounding the snakestone, as gently and as carefully as an archaeologist on a dig, taking off the black and revealing the glittering silver beneath it.

From Literature

Snakestone: a name given to any substance used as a remedy for snake-bites; for example, some are of chalk, some of animal charcoal, and some of vegetable substances.

From Project Gutenberg