Definition

A hard, fine-grained sedimentary rock composed of microcrystalline quartz, historically struck against steel to produce sparks for starting fires. Modern usage also refers to a city in Michigan or can mean a person of hard, unyielding character.

Example Usage

The survival expert used flint and steel to ignite the campfire.

Origin

Old English and Germanic origins; the word has been used for this stone since at least the 9th century.

Fun Fact

Flint was so valuable in prehistoric times that it was traded across vast distances and used to make the sharpest tools available before metal working.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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