spall
[spawl]
- a chip or splinter, as of stone or ore.
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- to break into smaller pieces, as ore; split or chip.
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- to break or split off in chips or bits.
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Origin of spall
1750–60; origin uncertain; compare late Middle English spalle a chip
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for spalling
Contemporary Examples
“Spalling” occurs when water in the concrete boils faster than it can escape, and steam blows flakes away from the surface.
Historical Examples
The principle is the same as that which causes the “spalling” of stones in buildings during fires.
GeologyWilliam J. Miller
spall
- a splinter or chip of ore, rock, or stone
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- to split or cause to split into such fragments
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Word Origin
C15: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for spalling
spall
n.
"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.)).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper