toadstone

English

Toadstones from Jurassic sediments in Oxfordshire UK

Etymology

From toad +‎ stone.

Noun

toadstone (countable and uncountable, plural toadstones)

1. A small stone, once believed to be a jewel embedded in the head of a toad, worn as an amulet.
2. (geology) A soft, earthy variety of trap-rock of a brownish-grey colour, looking like an argillaceous deposit.
   • 2004, Robert E Schofield, The Enlightened Joseph Priestley, Pennsylvania State University, published 2004, page 162:

     Rowley-Rag appeared to be the same thing as basalt and toadstone resembled some species of lava.

Translations

a small stone worn as an amulet

• Manx: beayf-chlagh f