throwing stone; stone missile
A stone used as a projectile, especially one thrown by hand. Often appears in set phrases like つぶてを打つ (to throw stones).
The children threw stones into the river.
It was a curt reply, like throwing a stone.
paper pellet; spitball
mysterious falling rocks in the mountains
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 礫 and 飛礫 are rare.
Rare kanji form; the same character is also read れき (gravel).
Rare kanji form; literally 'flying stone'.
The exact derivation is uncertain; the word is native Japanese and has been used since the Heian period.