emery

views updated Jun 11 2018

em·er·y / ˈem(ə)rē/ • n. a grayish-black mixture of corundum and magnetite, used in powdered form as an abrasive. ∎  [as adj.] denoting materials coated with emery for polishing, smoothing, or grinding: emery paper.ORIGIN: late 15th cent.: from French émeri, from Old French esmeri, from Italian smeriglio, based on Greek smuris, smiris ‘polishing powder.’

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

emery

views updated May 18 2018

emery coarse corundum for polishing. XV. — F. émeri(l), var. of †esmeril — It. smeriglio :- Rom. *smericulum, f. medGr. smērí, Gr. smúris polishing powder (see SMEAR).

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

emery

views updated May 08 2018

emery A greyish-black variety of corundum (Al2O3) which can be crushed and powdered for use as an abrasive for polishing hard surfaces.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

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Abrasives

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