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• emery
  emery

  noun

  a granular mineral substance consisting typically of corundum mixed with magnetite or hematite, used powdered, crushed, or consolidated for grinding and polishing.
• Emery
  Emery

  noun

  a male or female given name.

emery

¹ American  

[em-uh-ree, em-ree] / ˈɛm ə ri, ˈɛm ri /

noun

1. a granular mineral substance consisting typically of corundum mixed with magnetite or hematite, used powdered, crushed, or consolidated for grinding and polishing.

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Emery ² American  

[em-uh-ree, em-ree] / ˈɛm ə ri, ˈɛm ri /

noun

1. a male or female given name.

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emery British  

/ ˈɛmərɪ /

noun

1. 1. a hard greyish-black mineral consisting of corundum with either magnetite or haematite: used as an abrasive and polishing agent, esp as a coating on paper, cloth, etc. Formula: Al 2 O 3

   2. ( as modifier )

      emery paper

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Etymology

Origin of emery

1475–85; < Middle French emeri, Old French esmeril < Vulgar Latin *smēriculum, equivalent to Medieval Greek smêri (for Greek smýris rubbing powder; akin to smear ) + Latin -culum -cule ²

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

emery Emery

Should you want to polish metal, you’d do well to work with emery cloth.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 28, 2023

Any imperfections, any divots or ridges, must be judiciously smoothed, and a climber’s equipment includes pumice stones, sandpaper and emery boards.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2021

Joe Niekro had an emery board and a piece of sandpaper.

From Washington Times ● Mar. 5, 2020

The first emery deposits in America were discovered there.

From The New Yorker ● Sep. 17, 2018

He was smiling and observing me as I cleaned emery dust from the eyeglasses.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

Emery, though, who was already under contract until 2029, is now close to signing a new longer-term deal.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

Emery would relish the opportunity to play an even bigger role in developing the club for the long term, with talks ongoing about the fine details, the finances, and the length of the new deal.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

Emery, who celebrated his 55th birthday on Tuesday, wanted to use it as a barometer for their progress, to see how they compared with the current La Liga leaders and five-time European champions.

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026

After four years of improvement with Emery they have another chance to prove it.

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026

Emery stares at me with big round eyes—eyes that say, “I don't know what to say or do to make you feel better.”

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman

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