noun
throwing stone; sling stone; slingshot pellet; pebble
Refers to a small stone used as a projectile, especially for throwing by hand or with a sling/slingshot. Can also mean the slingshot itself in some contexts, but the primary meaning is the stone.
子供たちは川原で石つぶてを拾って投げて遊んだ。
The children picked up throwing stones by the river and played by throwing them.
昔の戦いでは石つぶてが武器として使
In ancient battles, sling stones were used as weapons.
石 is a general word for 'stone' or 'rock', while 石つぶて specifically refers to a stone used for throwing or as a projectile.
小石 means 'pebble' or 'small stone' in general, without the projectile connotation of 石つぶて.
パチンコ can mean 'slingshot' (the device), while 石つぶて is the stone or pellet shot from it.
Compound of 石 (ishi, 'stone') and つぶて (tsubute, 'throwing stone'). The origin of つぶて is uncertain, but it may be related to 粒 (tsubu, 'grain') or an old verb meaning 'to throw'.