Emery
/ˈɛməri/noun
A hard, dark granular rock used as an abrasive for grinding and polishing.
Did you know?Emery is a naturally occurring abrasive rock, traditionally prized because its corundum-rich grit could cut and polish long before modern sandpaper existed.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
smýris (σμύρις)
“A gritty abrasive stone used for grinding and polishing”
Late Latin
Latin
smyris
“An abrasive stone, especially one used for polishing”
Old French
Old French
esmeri / emeri
“A hard abrasive substance”
Middle English
English
emery
“A polishing or grinding stone”
Modern English
English
emery
“A hard granular rock used as an abrasive”