carborundum

1 9.9

A hard material used for grinding and cutting, like on sandpaper or grinding wheels

noun
/ˌkɑːrbəˈrʌndəm/

Specialized

: carborundo

To prepare the surface for painting, sand it with a carborundum paper for a rough texture.
carborundum stone

Examples

When sharpening your knife, use a carborundum stone for a smooth edge.
Like my kilt pin says, Aggie: "Illegitimus Non Carborundum."

Blog text (20)
♪ Illegitimum non carborundum ♪ Ipso facto ♪ ♪

On the Basis of Sex (2018)
Lake River Corp. v. Carborundum Co., 769 F.2d 1284, a widely reprinted contracts opinion, expounding on his theory of efficient breach.

Academic text (1998)
The workshop had a variety of tools, including a carborundum wheel used for grinding metal.

Synonyms

carbide

vscarborundum

Specialized

4 7.5

A hard material made from carbon and another element used for cutting tools

is the specific hard abrasive form used in grinding and cutting tools

silicon carbide

vscarborundum

Specialized

1 7.7

A very hard dark material used to cut and grind things and in some electronic parts

is an abrasive material made of those crystals for grinding and cutting tools

Idioms

noli illegitimi carborundum

Offensive

9.9

A funny fake Latin phrase that tells someone not to let cruel people make them give up

Surface Forms

carborundum singular

carborundums plural

Etymology

Carborundum was created as a brand name by mixing carbon and corundum ('a very hard mineral', the same kind found in 'ruby' and 'sapphire'). So, carborundum suggests a very hard, abrasive material and is used for sharpening and cutting tools.