Riffler
/ˈrɪf.lər/noun
A small, curved file used especially for shaping or smoothing surfaces, or a device used to divide material into samples.
Did you know?In technical use, a riffler can divide a bulk material sample into smaller representative portions, making the word part of the hidden ritual of measurement and selection.
Etymological Timeline
17th Century
French
rifler
“To scrape, scratch, or strip away; the probable source of the English technical verb and noun family.”
17th Century
English
rifle
“To scrape or scratch; later also to search through or plunder.”
17th–18th Century
English
riffle
“A variant associated with lightly scraping, shuffling, or turning through something.”
18th–19th Century
English
riffler
“An agent noun formed with -er for a person or implement that riffles or works by scraping.”
Modern English
English
riffler
“A curved file or a sample-dividing apparatus used in specialized technical work.”