Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HONE, n. [Sw. hen, a hone; Sax. hænan, to stone. The word is found in the Greek ακονη; and in two dialects of the Burman empire, hin, heen, signifies a stone. Asiat. Researches, 5. 228. We find the word also in the Syriac ܐܩܢܐ akana, a hone, coticula, Lapis Lydius. Cast. Hept. 213.]

A stone of a fine grit, used for sharpening instruments that require a fine edge, and particularly for setting razors. [We never, I believe, call a hone, a whet-stone. The latter is a stone of coarse grit. See the word.]