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Glite Dictionary
catlinite

catlinite

9.9
A soft red stone used by Native Americans to carve ceremonial pipes and other objects
  • noun
  • /ˈkæt.lɪ.naɪt/
  • Specialized
: catlinita
  • The museum displayed a ceremonial pipe carved from catlinite by Native American artisans.

Examples

  • Geologists studied the unique composition of catlinite found in the region's quarries.

  • Artists value catlinite for its softness and distinctive red color.

  • The artist carved a beautiful pipe from catlinite.

  • Many Native Americans use catlinite for ceremonial purposes.

  • The museum displayed a ceremonial pipe carved from catlinite by Native American artisans.

  • Artists value catlinite for its softness and distinctive red color.

  • Many Native Americans use catlinite for ceremonial purposes.

Synonyms

pipestone
vscatlinite
  • US
1 9.4

A soft reddish stone that Native American people use to make pipes and carvings

is the North American stone traditionally used for ceremonial pipe carving
claystone
vscatlinite
  • Specialized
8.7

A hard rock made of tiny bits of clay pressed together

is a softer reddish North American variety valued for ceremonial carving

Surface Forms

catlinite singular
catlinites plural

Etymology

The word catlinite comes from the name Catlin, an American artist who showed the stone to many people, plus the mineral ending -ite, and it is the same material often called 'pipestone' that Native Americans carved into ceremonial pipes. So, catlinite means a soft, reddish 'stone' used for carving pipes and small objects.