noun
brimstone
BRIHMS-tohn
noun
1
An old-fashioned name for sulfur, especially as used in religious writing to describe the fire and punishment of hell.
"The preacher warned of fire and brimstone for sinners."
"Brimstone was once mined for making gunpowder and matches."
2
A pale yellow butterfly common in Europe.
"A brimstone fluttered past the hedge in early spring."
How to Use Brimstone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old word for sulfur, now used almost only in the phrase "fire and brimstone" to describe hellfire-style preaching.
Common pairings
fire and brimstone
brimstone sermon
Word Forms
brimstones plural
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Etymology
From Old English brynstan, literally "burn-stone" — the rock that burns. It's the same word family as burn and stone, and today survives mostly in the phrase "fire and brimstone."