toadstone

[ tohd-stohn ]

noun

1. any of various stones or stonelike objects, formerly supposed to have been formed in the head or body of a toad, worn as jewels or amulets.

toadstone

/ ˈtəʊdˌstəʊn /

noun

1. rare.
   an amygdaloidal basalt occurring in the limestone regions of Derbyshire

Word History and Origins

Origin of toadstone¹

First recorded in 1550–60; toad + stone

Word History and Origins

Origin of toadstone¹

C18: perhaps from a supposed resemblance to a toad's spotted skin

Example Sentences

The “Lapis Bufonis“or toadstone is a rare magical gemstone found inside the head of a toad.

From Scientific American

How it stood there I cannot say, for, like the famous toadstone at Tunbridge Wells, which I myself had seen when my mother took me there in childhood, it looked as if it would topple over.

From Project Gutenberg

This famous toadstone is simply one of the fossil teeth of various fishes, and is chiefly formed of phosphate of lime.

From Project Gutenberg

Up to comparatively recent years the toadstone, for example, was worn not for beauty but for sake of occult virtue; and even at the present day certain stones, like jade, are valued for a similar reason.

From Project Gutenberg

Volcanic rocks, locally called “Toadstone,” are represented in the limestones by intrusive sills and flows of dolerite and by necks of agglomerate, notably near Tideswell, Millersdale and Matlock.

From Project Gutenberg