pumice
[ puhm-is ]
/ ˈpʌm ɪs /
noun
Also called pumice stone.
a porous or spongy form of volcanic glass, used as an abrasive.
verb (used with object), pum·iced, pum·ic·ing.
to rub, smooth, clean, etc., with pumice.
Origin of pumice
before 1000; < Latin
pūmic-, stem of
pūmex pumice stone; replacing Middle English
pomis(e),
pomish(e),
pomice < Middle French
pomis < Latin; compare Old English
pumic- (< L), in
pumicstān pumice stone; see
pounce3
OTHER WORDS FROM pumice
pu·mi·ceous [pyoo-mish-uh s] /pyuˈmɪʃ əs/, adjective pum·ic·er, nounWords nearby pumice
Example sentences from the Web for pumice
British Dictionary definitions for pumice
pumice
/ (ˈpʌmɪs) /
noun
Also called: pumice stone
a light porous acid volcanic rock having the composition of rhyolite, used for scouring and, in powdered form, as an abrasive and for polishing
verb
(tr)
to rub or polish with pumice
Derived forms of pumice
pumiceous (pjuːˈmɪʃəs), adjectiveWord Origin for pumice
C15
pomys, from Old French
pomis, from Latin
pūmex
Medical definitions for pumice
pumice
[ pŭm′ĭs ]
n.
A light, porous, glassy lava, used as an abrasive.
Scientific definitions for pumice
pumice
[ pŭm′ĭs ]
A usually light-colored, porous, lightweight rock of volcanic origin. The pores form when water vapor and gases escape from the lava during its quick solidification into rock.