cornstone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Obsolete / Very LowArchaic / Technical (historical geology, regional architecture)
Quick answer
What does “cornstone” mean?
An obsolete term for a type of limestone containing fossil corn-like or granular concretions, historically used in building and as a source of lime.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An obsolete term for a type of limestone containing fossil corn-like or granular concretions, historically used in building and as a source of lime.
Refers to any coarse, gritty limestone or dolomite rock. Historically associated with certain regional British building stones.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is found in historical British geological and architectural texts; it is virtually non-existent in modern American usage.
Connotations
British: Historical, regional, architectural. American: Unfamiliar, highly technical/archaic.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, but marginally more attested in historical UK texts.
Grammar
How to Use “cornstone” in a Sentence
The [building/wall/cottage] was constructed from [local] cornstone.The quarry yielded a poor-quality cornstone.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cornstone” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cornstone façade had weathered badly.
- They identified a cornstone layer in the quarry.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Found only in historical geological or architectural papers describing regional British building materials.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
A dated lithological term for a specific granular limestone or dolomite.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cornstone”
- Using it as a modern term.
- Assuming it refers to a stone containing maize fossils.
- Capitalising it as a proper noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an obsolete or highly specialised historical term.
No, it refers to the grain-like texture or granular fossil inclusions in the rock.
Only in historical texts on British regional geology, architecture, or local history.
A geologist today would likely use a more precise lithological description like 'oolitic limestone' or 'dolomitic grainstone'.
An obsolete term for a type of limestone containing fossil corn-like or granular concretions, historically used in building and as a source of lime.
Cornstone is usually archaic / technical (historical geology, regional architecture) in register.
Cornstone: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːn.stəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːrn.stoʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'stone' with a texture like 'corn' (grain), not maize.
Conceptual Metaphor
MATERIAL FOR DURABILITY (archaic).
Practice
Quiz
'Cornstone' is best described as: