Langimage
English

brimstone

|brim-stone|

B2

🇺🇸

/ˈbrɪmˌstoʊn/

🇬🇧

/ˈbrɪm.stəʊn/

sulfur

Etymology
Etymology Information

'brimstone' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'brynstān,' where 'bryn-' meant 'burn' and 'stān' meant 'stone.'

Historical Evolution

'brynstān' transformed into the Middle English word 'brimstoon,' and eventually became the modern English word 'brimstone.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'burning stone,' referring to sulfur, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

sulfur, especially in its natural state as a yellow crystalline solid.

The air was filled with the acrid smell of burning brimstone.

Synonyms

sulfursulphur

Noun 2

a term used in the Bible to describe divine retribution or hellfire.

The preacher spoke of fire and brimstone in his sermon.

Synonyms

hellfiredamnation

Last updated: 2025/02/17 16:28