Sawdusty
/ˈsɔːˌdʌs.ti/noun
Resembling, containing, or covered with sawdust.
Did you know?The word combines “saw,” from a prehistoric root meaning “to cut,” with “dust,” whose ancient Indo-European ancestry was associated with dust, vapor, or rising clouds.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sek-
“To cut; the ancient root behind the word “saw” and several Latin words for cutting.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰews-
“Dust, vapor, or a cloudlike substance; the proposed root associated with “dust.””
Old English
Old English
sagu
“A toothed instrument for cutting wood or other material; ancestor of “saw.””
Old English
Old English
dust
“Fine dry particles of earth or other matter.”
Middle English
English
saw-dust
“Small particles or shavings produced by sawing wood; a compound of “saw” and “dust.””
Modern English
English
sawdusty
“Resembling, containing, or covered with sawdust; formed with the suffix “-y,” meaning “characterized by.””