n.
Pronunciation: ' em-r ē , ' e-m ə -
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural em · er · ies
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French esmeril, from Old Italian smiriglio, from Medieval Latin smiriglum, from Greek smyrid-, smyris
Date: 15th century
: a dark granular mineral that consists of corundum with iron oxide impurities (as magnetite) and is used as an abrasive also : a hard abrasive powder