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

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.

Derived terms

Anagrams

• Meyer