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prettygoodwordemery (EM-uh-ree, EM-ree) - n., a granular mineral consisting of corundum mixed with magnetite or hematite, used as an abrasive or polishing agent; (generally) any hard abrasive powder.
Formerly mined on Naxos, nowadays largely replaced by synthetic abrasives. Note that corundum is the same mineral as ruby and sapphire, and that the iron oxides make true emery dark, unlike what's used on emery boards and emery paper. Borrowed in the late 15th century from French émeri, from Old French esmeril, either from Italian smiriglio or directly from Medieval Latin smiriglum or smēriculum, from Medieval Greek smêri, from Greek smýris, rubbing powder (a cognate of smear).
---L.
Formerly mined on Naxos, nowadays largely replaced by synthetic abrasives. Note that corundum is the same mineral as ruby and sapphire, and that the iron oxides make true emery dark, unlike what's used on emery boards and emery paper. Borrowed in the late 15th century from French émeri, from Old French esmeril, either from Italian smiriglio or directly from Medieval Latin smiriglum or smēriculum, from Medieval Greek smêri, from Greek smýris, rubbing powder (a cognate of smear).
---L.
