Meanings
plural eaglestones · alternative eagle stone · alternative eagle-stone
- A concretionary nodule of iron oxide with a loose kernel inside such that it makes a rattling noise, formerly used for magical or medicinal purposes.
There was the eagle-stone (aetites) which the Countess of Newcastle was invited to wear in 1633 to ease her labour pains […].
1971, Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, Folio Society, published 2012, page 183Synonyms: aetites
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA concretionary nodule of iron oxide with a loose kernel inside such that it makes a rattling noise, formerly used for magical or medicinal purposes.
Origin
From eagle + stone, because it was said to be found in eagles' nests.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Latin callimus
- callimusconcretionary nodule of iron oxide with a loose kernel inside formerly used for magical or medicinal purposes
Portuguese pedra de águia
- pedra de águiaconcretionary nodule of iron oxide with a loose kernel inside formerly used for magical or medicinal purposes
Cite this entry
eaglestone. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/eaglestone
“eaglestone.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/eaglestone. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “eaglestone,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/eaglestone.
Source: eaglestone on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.