skrivsand

Swedish

Alternative forms

• (archaic) Skrifſand, skrifsand

Etymology

Compound of skriva (“writing”) +‎ sand (“sand”). First attested in 1749.

Noun

skrivsand c

1. (historical) pounce (a type of fine powder sprinkled over wet ink to dry the ink after writing or on rough paper to smooth the writing surface)
   • 1800 April 28, “Till ſalu finnes [For Sale]”, in Dagligt Allehanda, number 94, page 5:

     God Romm på Bouteiller och et partie Kjersbaͤr, ſamt flere 100:de Tunnor fin Skrifſand, aͤr til ſalu i Kryddboden wid Regeringsgatan och hoͤrnet af Kaͤllaren Stockholms Slott.

     Good rum in bottles and a batch of cherries, along with several hundred barrels of fine pounce, are for sale at the spice shop on Government Street at the corner of the Cellar of Stockholm Castle.

   • 1910 March 5, Emelie Zola, “Vårbrodd [Spring Grass]”, in Arbetet, number 53 (novel), page 7 (3):

     Det var en tämligen stor sal, som uppfyllde hela bottenvåningen; den var målad i äppelgrönt och förrådde en flamländsk renlighet med sina renspolade och med skrivsand beströdda golvhällar.

     The room was of considerable size, occupying the entire ground floor. It was painted in apple green and revealed a Flemish cleanliness with its thoroughly scrubbed flagstone floors, which were sprinkled with pounce.

   Synonym: strösand

Declension

Declension of skrivsand
	Uncountable
	Indefinite	Definite
Nominative	skrivsand	skrivsanden	—	—
Genitive	skrivsands	skrivsandens	—	—