Emery
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ˈɛməɹi/
Origin
From French émeri, from Old French esmeril, from Late Latin smericulum, from Ancient Greek σμῆÏις (smÄ“ris, "powder used for polishing") (alternative spelling: σμÏÏις).
Full definition of emery
Noun
emery
(uncountable)- (mineral) An impure type of corundum, often used for sanding or polishing.
- 1884, Samuel Smiles, Men of Invention and IndustryIt took me from nine to ten days to grind and polish it ready for parabolising and silvering. I did this by hand labour with the aid of emery, but without a lathe. I finally used rouge instead of emery in grinding down the glass, until I could see my face in the mirror quite plain.