brimstone
UK[ˈbrɪmstəʊn]US[ˈbrɪmstoʊn]
n
The element sulfur, especially when considered in a context of fire and damnation.
n
Used in the phrase "fire and brimstone" to denote the torments of hell or a style of preaching that threatens such torments.
Etymology
The word "brimstone" originates from the Old English brynstān, a compound literally meaning "burning stone." This term was a direct reference to sulfur, a mineral that burns readily with a blue flame and pungent odor. The first element, bryn-, is related to the verb "burn," while stān means "stone." Over centuries, the pronunciation and spelling evolved through Middle English forms like brimston, solidifying its association not just with the chemical element, but with the imagery of divine punishment, as sulfur's combustible properties made it a fitting symbol for the fires of hell in religious texts and rhetoric.
Analysis
The word is a Middle English compound from Old English brynstān, but its modern spelling and pronunciation have fused the elements into a single, unsegmentable lexical unit.
Examples
The preacher delivered a fiery sermon full of warnings about fire and brimstone.
In ancient times, brimstone was used in fumigation and religious rituals.
The volcanic air smelled strongly of brimstone.