Pavestones

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of flat stone used to create a durable surface for walkways or patios
2. A material commonly used in landscaping to form paths or decorative areas in gardens
3. A hard surface made of stone blocks laid down for functional or aesthetic purposes in outdoor spaces

Etymology: Pavestone is a straightforward compound of "pave" and "stone", naming a stone slab laid to surface a path, patio, or garden area. The "pave" half carries the more interesting history. It comes through Old French "paver" from Latin "pavire", meaning to beat down or ram the ground until it is firm. A paved surface was originally one that had been packed solid. The Latin noun "pavimentum", from the same root, gave English "pavement", so both words preserve the idea of pounding earth flat. A pavestone is one unit of that compacted surface, shaped to be laid edge to edge.

Synonyms: pavers, tiles, slabs, stones, bricks