swarf

English

Etymology

1565, from Middle English *swerf, from Old English geswearf, gesweorf; akin to Old English sweorfan (modern English swerve), from Proto-Germanic.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɔː(r)f

Noun

swarf (uncountable)

1. the waste chips or shavings from metalworking or a saw cutting wood
2. the grit worn away by use of a grindstone or whetstone, being particles of the material being cut and of the cutting stone itself

Translations

chips or shavings

• Russian: стружка (ru) (strúžka) f

Usage notes

Infrequently used after the 19th century; primarily in technical settings.

Related terms

• swerve

See also

• grind
• grinder
• grindstone
• grit
• hone
• metalwork
• smith
• whet
• whetstone

References