I. ˈsand noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German sant sand, Latin sabulum, Greek psammos
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a loose granular material that results from the disintegration of rocks, consists of particles smaller than gravel but coarser than silt, and is used in mortar, glass, abrasives, and foundry molds
b. : soil containing 85 percent or more of sand and a maximum of 10 percent of clay ; broadly : sandy soil
2.
a. : a tract of sand : beach
b. : a sandbank or sandbar
3. : the sand in an hourglass ; also : the moments of a lifetime — usually used in plural
the sand s of this government run out very rapidly — H. J. Laski
4. : an oil-producing formation of sandstone or unconsolidated sand
5. : firm resolution
6. : a yellowish-gray color
II. transitive verb
Date: 14th century
1. : to sprinkle or dust with or as if with sand
2. : to cover or fill with sand
3. : to smooth or dress by grinding or rubbing with an abrasive (as sandpaper)