swarf

[swawrf]

noun

an accumulation of fine particles of metal or abrasive cut or ground from work by a machine tool or grinder.

Origin of swarf

1560–70; < Old Norse svarf, akin to sverfa to file, or continuing Old English geswearf, gesweorf

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

Examples from the Web for swarf

Historical Examples of swarf

I never saw him plainer in my life than I did that moment; he held up an arrow as he passed me, and I swarf'd awa' wi' fright.
The Mysteries of All Nations
James Grant
I never saw him plainer in my life than I did that moment; he held up an arrow as he passed me, and I swarf'd awa wi' fright.
The Monastery
Sir Walter Scott
Swarf, swrf, n. the grit from a grindstone in grinding cutlery wet.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)
Various

British Dictionary definitions for swarf

swarf

noun

material removed by cutting or grinding tools in the machining of metals, stone, etc
radioactive metal waste from a nuclear power station
small fragments of disintegrating spacecraft, orbiting the earth

Word Origin for swarf

C16: of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse svarf metallic dust

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 swarf

"grit from a grinding tool," from Old English geswearf "filings," or Old Norse svarf "file dust," related to sverfa "to file."