Emery
WordNet
noun
(1) A hard grey-black mineral consisting of corundum and either hematite or magnetite; used as an abrasive (especially as a coating on paper)
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From émeri, from esmeril, from smericulum, from ‘powder used for polishing’.
Noun
- An impure type of corundum, often used for sanding or polishing.
- 1884, Samuel Smiles, Men of Invention and Industry
- It 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.
- 1884, Samuel Smiles, Men of Invention and Industry