holystone
Sandstone for decks
A holystone is a soft sandstone block used to scrub and whiten the wooden decks of ships.
Sailors would kneel while using them, which some say explains the religious name—though others connect it to the stones being salvaged from broken church monuments.
The verb holystone means to scrub a deck with such a stone.
The crew holystoned the deck until it gleamed.
The practice has largely disappeared with wooden-decked vessels.
Cleaning by rubbing hard
- kneelingLowering onto bent legs
- toilStrenuous, prolonged effort
- sweatMoisture from skin pores
- drudgeryHard, boring work
exertion · fatigue · grind · hardship · manual · backbreaking · punishment · discipline
Address to deity
- kneelingLowering onto bent legs
- religiousOf faith or worship
- cathedralBishop's principal church
- gravestoneBurial site marker
tombstone · flagstone · repurposed · sacred · blessing · superstition · ritual · tradition
scrubbing
Cleaning by rubbing hard
drudgery · exertion · fatigue · grind · hardship · manual · backbreaking · punishment · discipline · chore
prayer
Address to deity
gravestone · tombstone · flagstone · repurposed · sacred · blessing · superstition · ritual · tradition · lore
scrubbing
Cleaning by rubbing hard
shipmate · forecastle · quarterdeck · poopdeck · galley · rigging · helm · anchor · keel · bow
sandstone
Cemented grain sediment
- pumiceLightweight volcanic abrasive
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- scouringVigorous abrasive cleaning
scrub · polish · buff · coarse · grindstone · emery · sandpaper · rasp · file · abrade
holystonemop
Floor-washing implement
swab · deck brush · squeegee · power washer · steam cleaner
holystonevarnish
Liquid that dries glossy
sealant · wood stain · lacquer · paint