Definition

1. Noun:
   • A grinding or sharpening tool: An "emery stone" is a manufactured abrasive tool, specifically a mixture of fine emery dust and a binding agent, which is formed into a solid block or wheel used for grinding, sharpening, or polishing metal and other hard materials.

Usage

• An "emery stone" is used as a tool for abrasive tasks. It is typically applied to metalworking, tool maintenance, or craftwork to smooth, shape, or sharpen surfaces.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The jeweler used a small emery stone to polish the edges of the silver setting.
  • For sharpening the old chisel, a coarse emery stone is more effective than a fine one.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Context: In industrial or workshop settings, an "emery stone" may refer to a specific grade or shape of bonded abrasive, distinguished from natural sharpening stones.
  • The machinist selected a cylindrical emery stone for the internal grinding operation.

Variants and Related Words

• Emery (noun): A very hard, granular mineral, a variety of corundum mixed with magnetite or hematite, used in its powdered form as an abrasive.
• Emery board (noun): A flat strip of cardboard or wood coated with emery powder, used for filing fingernails.
• Emery cloth (noun): Cloth coated with emery powder, used as an abrasive.
• Grindstone (noun): A revolving stone disk used for grinding, sharpening, or polishing, which can be made from materials including emery.

Synonyms

• Abrasive stone: A general term for any stone used for grinding or polishing.
• Sharpening stone: A stone used specifically for sharpening edges.
• Hone: A fine-grained stone used for sharpening cutting tools.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "emery stone" specifically denotes a abrasive tool created by bonding emery particles. It is not a naturally occurring rock, though it contains the natural mineral emery. This distinguishes it from generic "grindstones" which can be made from other materials like sandstone.

Noun

1. a mixture of emery dust and a binder; can be molded into grindstones