• Emery

    Pronunciation

    • UK IPA: /ˈɛməɹi/

    Origin

    From French émeri, from Old French esmeril, from Late Latin smericulum, from Ancient Greek σμῆρις (smēris, "powder used for polishing") (alternative spelling: σμύρις).

    Full definition of emery

    Noun

    emery

    (uncountable)
    1. (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.

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