Min. Also soup stone, soapstone. [SOAP sb. Cf. G. seif(en)stein.] A massive variety of talc, of which various kinds are found in several countries, having a smooth greasy feel, and used for various economical or ornamental purposes (occas. as a soap); soap-rock, steatite; also loosely applied to certain soft clays, etc.
1681. Grew, Musæum, III. I. vi. 321. SOAP-STONE, Steatites.… Seeming like hard Suet, greasie to the touch.
1778. W. Pryce, Min. Cornub., 31. Steatites or Soap Stone, which is in such plenty.
1799. Weld, Trav. N. Amer., 385. A stone of a very soft texture, called the soap stone, is very commonly found in the back parts of North America.
1837. Dana, Min., 261. The soapstone … at Lizard Point, Cornwall, when first extracted, may be kneaded like dough.
1850. Lyell, 2nd Visit U.S., II. 50. At Centreport these unctuous marls or calcareous clays [of the chalk formation] are called by the people soap-stone.
1850. Ansted, Elem. Geol., Min., etc. 195. Saponite, Piotine, Kerolite, Soapstone (not Steatite).
1851. Catal. Gt. Exhib., 1422/1. Chinese figures of soapstone.
1883. Gresley, Gloss. Coal-mining, 229. Soapstone.… A variety of fireclay, sometimes applied to Bind.
attrib. 1875. Knight, Dict. Mech., 2201/1. Soapstone pencils, made from a peculiar stone found near Castleton, Vt.
1883. W. D. Howells, in Century Mag., XXVI. Aug., 596/2. The hearth of an open soap-stone stove.
1884. Pall Mall Gaz., 24 July, 12/1. Works of art in Foochow soap-stone ware.
b. A slab or piece of this, fashioned for some special purpose.
1890. J. E. Curran, in Century Mag., XL. Aug., 531/2. He … fished up a disused soapstone…, put it on the stove…, and stood erect … till the soapstone was warm.
