- flint
- O.E. flint "flint, rock," common Gmc. (cf. M.Du. vlint, O.H.G. flins, Dan. flint), from PIE *splind- "to split, cleave," from base *(s)plei- "to splice, split" (cf. Gk. plinthos "brick, tile," O.Ir. slind "brick"). Transferred senses were in O.E. Flintlock as a type of musket-firing mechanism is from 1683. Flinty "hard-hearted" is from 1536.