emery

[ em-uh-ree, em-ree ]

/ ˈɛm ə ri, ˈɛm ri /

noun

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

Nearby words

emersed, emersion, emerson, emerson, ralph waldo, emersonian, emery, emery board, emery cloth, emery wheel, emesis, emetic

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 -cule²

Definition for emery (2 of 2)

Emery

[ em-uh-ree, em-ree ]

/ ˈɛm ə ri, ˈɛm ri /

noun

a male or female given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for emery

After the tailstock center is withdrawn, the emery wheel is adjusted for grinding.
Turning and Boring|Franklin D. Jones
Judge Emery, after his proprietary good-by kiss, advised her to be quiet and rest.
The Squirrel-Cage|Dorothy Canfield
In a moment Jack Diamond's arm was extended and pressed across Emery's breast, holding him back like a bar of iron.
Frank Merriwell's Races|Burt L. Standish
It is sometimes necessary to allow some pupils to use the side of the emery wheel in sharpening the gouge.
A Course In Wood Turning|Archie S. Milton and Otto K. Wohlers

Basils for gaiters are dyed in paddle and fluffed over the emery wheel.
Animal Proteins|Hugh Garner Bennett

British Dictionary definitions for emery

emery

/ (ˈɛmərɪ) /

noun

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
(as modifier)emery paper

Word Origin for emery

C15: from Old French esmeril, ultimately from Greek smuris powder for rubbing

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for emery

emery

"granular mixture used as an abrasive," late 15c., from Middle French émeri, from Old French esmeril, from Italian smeriglo, from Vulgar Latin *smyrilium, from Greek smyris "abrasive powder" used for rubbing and polishing, probably a non-Greek word, perhaps from a Semitic source.