ironstone

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)Any ore of iron which is impure through the admixture of silica or clay.

   “During my stay at Kamalia there was a smelting furnace at a short distance from the hut where I lodged, and the owner and his workmen made no secret about the manner of conducting the operation, and readily allowed me to examine the furnace, and assist them in breaking the ironstone.”

   “The trees like this barren ironstone formation. It's well they do, for nothing else does.”

   “While I listen I sniff in the cordite fumes. Ironstone chipped against ironstone invokes a spark and a wisp of the same heady smoke.”

   “Most of the older buildings are of reddish-brown ironstone with mossy-tiled roofs, and almost all have stone-embanked gardens, richly planted and expertly maintained.”

   “Just before Bloworth Crossing, you'll walk a short distance along the trackbed of the old mineral railway that connected the old ironstone mines at Rosedale with the blast furnaces of Middlesbrough.”

2. (countable, uncountable)A type of vitreous pottery similar to stoneware

   “More than 50 percent of the collection from Hall’s brothel is ironstone and porcelain. White ironstone tablewares became popular in the late 1850s, and the high percentage of this ware suggests attention to fashion.”