ironstone

[ ahy-ern-stohn ]

/ ˈaɪ ərnˌstoʊn /

any iron-bearing mineral or rock with siliceous impurities.

Also called ironstone china. a hard white stoneware.

Origin of ironstone

First recorded in 1515–25; iron + stone

The upper rock-beds, especially the bed of ironstone on the top, is generally remarkably rich in fossils.

The World Before the Deluge |Louis Figuier
She knew, too, that all her fascinations recoiled harmlessly from that rugged block of ironstone.

Guy Livingstone; |George A. Lawrence
Behind him was a great cut-faced rock of ironstone that certainly looked auriferous.

The Twins of Suffering Creek |Ridgwell Cullum
The magnet, for in Kent they call the ironstone mine, quasi mineral.

A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 10 (of 15) |Various

The whole park has a sombre appearance, owing to the dark soil and ironstone freely sprinkling it.

Through South Africa |Henry M. Stanley

ironstone

/ (ˈaɪənˌstəʊn) /

any rock consisting mainly of an iron-bearing ore

Also called: ironstone china a tough durable earthenware