spall

[spawl]

noun

a chip or splinter, as of stone or ore.

verb (used with object)

to break into smaller pieces, as ore; split or chip.

verb (used without object)

to break or split off in chips or bits.

Origin of spall

1750–60; origin uncertain; compare late Middle English spalle a chip

Related formsspall·er, nounnon·spall·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for spalling

Contemporary Examples of spalling

“Spalling” occurs when water in the concrete boils faster than it can escape, and steam blows flakes away from the surface.
Why Can’t America’s Newest Stealth Jet Land Like It’s Supposed To?
Bill Sweetman
May 26, 2014

Historical Examples of spalling

The principle is the same as that which causes the “spalling” of stones in buildings during fires.
Geology
William J. Miller

British Dictionary definitions for spalling

spall

noun

a splinter or chip of ore, rock, or stone

verb

to split or cause to split into such fragments

Word Origin for spall

C15: of unknown origin

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 spalling

spall

"chip of stone," mid-15c., from Middle English verb spald "to split open" (early 14c.), from or related to Middle Dutch spalden, Middle Low German spalden, cognate with Old High German spaltan "to split" (see spill (v.)).