English Explanatory Dictionary

hunger stone

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A stone, either naturally exposed or intentionally embedded in a river during a drought, which is dated and often inscribed to mark the water level as a warning to future generations that they may face famine if the water reaches that low level again. Such stones are common in Central Europe.

Pronunciation

/ˈhʌŋɡə ˌstəʊn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-hunger stone.wav /ˈhʌŋɡɚ ˌstoʊn/

Word forms

hunger stone hunger stones

Etymology

Calque of German Hungerstein, from Hunger (“hunger”) + Stein (“rock, stone”).

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