Soapstone

4 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Soapstone \Soap"stone`\, n.
     See {Steatite}, and {Talc}.
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:



  Steatite \Ste"a*tite\ (-t[imac]t), n. [Gr. ste`ar, ste`atos,
     fat, tallow: cf. F. st['e]atite.] (Min.)
     A massive variety of talc, of a grayish green or brown color.
     It forms extensive beds, and is quarried for fireplaces and
     for coarse utensils. Called also {potstone}, {lard stone},
     and {soapstone}.
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Talc \Talc\ (t[a^]lk), n. [F. talc; cf. Sp. & It. talco, LL.
     talcus; all fr. Ar. talq.] (Min.)
     A soft mineral of a soapy feel and a greenish, whitish, or
     grayish color, usually occurring in foliated masses. It is
     hydrous silicate of magnesia. {Steatite}, or {soapstone}, is
     a compact granular variety.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     {Indurated talc}, an impure, slaty talc, with a nearly
        compact texture, and greater hardness than common talc; --
        called also {talc slate}.
        [1913 Webster] Talcose

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  soapstone
       n : a soft heavy compact variety of talc having a soapy feel;
           used to make hearths and tabletops and ornaments [syn: {soaprock},
            {soap-rock}, {steatite}]