lithic
|lith-ic|
/ˈlɪθɪk/
stone-related
Etymology
'lithic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'lithikos', where 'litho-' / 'lithos' meant 'stone'.
'lithic' developed from Greek 'lithikos' (formed from 'lithos') and entered English usage via New Latin and modern scientific/archaeological coinage, becoming the English adjective and combining form 'lithic'.
Initially it meant 'of or relating to stone' in formation and description; over time it has retained that core meaning and been specialized in contexts such as geology and archaeology (e.g., relating to stone tools).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a stone tool or a fragment of stone produced or used by humans (often used in plural: 'lithics').
Several lithics were recovered from the excavation layer.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
made of or relating to stone; stony.
The cliff showed lithic layers of different ages.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/11 16:07