soapstone

Noun

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

a soft heavy compact variety of talc having a soapy feel; used to make hearths and tabletops and ornamentsSynonyms: soaprock soap-rock steatite

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Soapstone \Soap"stone`\, n. See Steatite, and Talc. [1913 Webster]

Steatite \Ste"a*tite\ (-t[imac]t), n. [Gr. ste`ar, ste`atos, fat, tallow: cf. F. st['e]atite.] (Min.) A massive variety of talc, of a grayish green or brown color. It forms extensive beds, and is quarried for fireplaces and for coarse utensils. Called also potstone, lard stone, and soapstone. [1913 Webster]

Talc \Talc\ (t[a^]lk), n. [F. talc; cf. Sp. & It. talco, LL. talcus; all fr. Ar. talq.] (Min.) A soft mineral of a soapy feel and a greenish, whitish, or grayish color, usually occurring in foliated masses. It is hydrous silicate of magnesia. Steatite, or soapstone, is a compact granular variety. [1913 Webster]

Indurated talc, an impure, slaty talc, with a nearly compact texture, and greater hardness than common talc; -- called also talc slate. [1913 Webster] Talcose