stony

Alternative forms

• stoney (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English stony, stoni, stani, from Old English stāniġ, stǣniġ (“stony, rocky”), from Proto-Germanic *stainagaz (“stony”), equivalent to stone +‎ -y. Cognate with Scots stany (“stony”), West Frisian stienich (“stony”), Dutch stenig (“stony, metalled”), German steinig (“stony, rocky, gravelly”), Swedish stenig (“stony, rocky, pebbly”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈstəʊni/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈstoʊni/
• Rhymes: -əʊni

Adjective

stony (comparative stonier, superlative stoniest)

1. As hard as stone.
2. Containing or made up of stones.

   a stony path

3. (figuratively) Of a person, lacking warmth and emotion.
4. (figuratively) Of an action such as a look, showing no warmth of emotion.

   She gave him a stony reception.

5. (Britain and Australia, slang) Short for stony broke: without any money.

References

• “stony, adj.”, in OED Online , Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1917.

Anagrams

• Tonys, Tyson, synto

Alternative forms

• stoni, stani, staniȝ, stany, stonye

Etymology

From Old English stāniġ, from Proto-Germanic *stainagaz.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈstɔːniː/

Adjective

stony

1. Comprised or composed of stone or rock
2. Made or built of stone or rock
3. Covered in stones or pebbles
4. Inhabiting a stony environment
5. (figuratively) emotionless; stolid
6. (medicine) hard, solid