nonlithic
|non-lith-ic|
🇺🇸
/nɑnˈlɪθɪk/
🇬🇧
/nɒnˈlɪθɪk/
not stone
Etymology
'nonlithic' originates from English, specifically formed from the prefix 'non-' and the adjective 'lithic', where 'non-' meant 'not' and Greek 'lithos' meant 'stone'.
'lithic' entered English from Greek 'lithikos' via Late Latin 'lithicus', and the modern English formation 'nonlithic' developed by combining the negating prefix 'non-' with the inherited adjective 'lithic'.
Initially, 'lithic' meant 'of or relating to stone' in senses derived from Greek, and over time the compound 'nonlithic' evolved to mean 'not made of stone' in contrast to stone-made objects.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not lithic; not made of or consisting of stone or mineral material; composed of non-stony materials (often used in archaeology to contrast with stone artifacts).
The assemblage included both lithic and nonlithic artifacts such as tools made from bone and shell.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/17 16:05