Standard Lemma guide

tonstein

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • tŭn′stīn′
  • Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation, Scotland: /ˈtʌnˌstaɪ̯n/
  • Canada: /ˈtʌnˌstʌɪ̯n/
  • Scotland: /ˈtʌnˌstʌi̯n/
  • Scotland: /ˈtʌnˌstəi̯n/
  • Australian: /ˈtɐnˌstɑe̯n/
  • New-Zealand: /ˈtɐnˌstaɪ̯n/
  • India: /ˈʈənˌsʈajn/
  • rhymes with -aɪn

1

noun

Meaning 1

A hard, compact, kaolinite-rich claystone formed by the diagenetic alteration of volcanic ash, usually occurring as thin, laterally persistent layers interbedded with coal seams.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: geography, geology, natural-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Any indurated argillaceous rock that stands out within coal measures as a distinctive marker horizon.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: geography, geology, natural-sciences, petrology

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Borrowed from German Tonstein, from Ton (“clay”) + Stein (“stone”).