brimstone
|brim-stone|
🇺🇸
/ˈbrɪmˌstoʊn/
🇬🇧
/ˈbrɪm.stəʊn/
sulfur
Etymology
'brimstone' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'brynstān,' where 'bryn-' meant 'burn' and 'stān' meant 'stone.'
'brynstān' transformed into the Middle English word 'brimstoon,' and eventually became the modern English word 'brimstone.'
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
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
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/02/17 16:28
