n.1 a coarse rock of corundum and magnetite or haematite used for polishing metal or other hard materials.
2 (attrib.) covered with emery.
Phrases and idioms:
emery-board a strip of thin wood or board coated with emery or another abrasive, used as a nail-file. emery-paper cloth or paper covered with emery, used for polishing or cleaning metals etc.
Etymology: F {eacute}meri(l) f. It. smeriglio ult. f. Gk smuris, smeris polishing powder