Main Entry: em·ery

Pronunciation: \ˈem-rē, ˈe-mə-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural em·er·ies

Usage: often attributive

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