1. Plural of chert; hard, fine-grained sedimentary rocks composed of microcrystalline quartz, often used historically for making tools and starting fires.
Usage: geology; archaeology

Examples

• Archaeologists found ancient cherts scattered across the dig site.
• The toolmaker selected the finest cherts for crafting arrowheads.
• Cherts were valued by prehistoric peoples for their sharp edges when fractured.
• The museum displayed a collection of cherts used by early humans.
• Geologists identified several types of cherts in the rock formation.