freestone

[ free-stohn ]

noun

1. a fruit having a stone to which the flesh does not cling, as certain peaches and plums.
2. the stone itself.
3. any stone, as sandstone, that can be freely worked or quarried, especially one that cuts well in all directions without splitting.

adjective

1. having a stone from which the flesh is easily separated.

freestone

/ ˈfriːˌstəʊn /

noun

1. 1. any fine-grained stone, esp sandstone or limestone, that can be cut and worked in any direction without breaking
   2. ( as modifier )

      a freestone house

2. botany
   1. a fruit, such as a peach, in which the flesh separates readily from the stone
   2. ( as modifier ) Compare clingstone

      a freestone peach

Word History and Origins

Origin of freestone¹

1250–1300; Middle English freston ( free, stone ); translation of Old French franche piere; frank ¹

Example Sentences

The evenly grained Aquia sandstone is known as a freestone because it can be freely cut and chiseled in any direction without shattering or splitting.

From Washington Post

It was of freestone of a fine grain, of a dull white colour, slightly veined with red; and the surface was finely polished.

From Project Gutenberg

A carriage passed under the gray archway of the red-brick and freestone lodges.

From Project Gutenberg

It is cut out of a rock like freestone, into pieces of about a foot long, squared, but a little convex on the upper side.

From Project Gutenberg

Select large firm freestone peaches, remove the skins and put into a jar.

From Project Gutenberg

Minerals; lime and freestone, marble that polishes well, and some traces of iron ore.

From Project Gutenberg