swarf

Meaning

Noun

1. (uncountable) The waste chips or shavings from an abrasive activity, such as metalworking, a saw cutting wood, or the use of a grindstone or whetstone.
2. (countable) A particular waste chip or shaving.

Verb

To grind down.

Verb

To grow languid; to faint.

Synonyms

chip

cuttings

shavings

trimming

cutting scrap

Translations

Span

Späne

copeau

truciolo

astula

limalha de ferro

Pronounced as (IPA)

/swɔːf/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: *swarf

Inherited from Old English: ġeswearf

Cognate with Old English: sweorfan

In summary

From Middle English *swarf, *swerf, from Old English ġeswearf, ġesweorf (“iron filings; rust”) and/or Old Norse svarf (“metallic dust”), both from Proto-Germanic *swarbą (“that which is rubbed off; shavings”), from Proto-Germanic *swerbaną (“to mop, wipe; to rub off”); see further at swerve. The word is cognate to Old English sweorfan (“to rub, scour; to file”).