Carborundum

/ˌkɑːrbəˈrʌndəm/ noun

A very hard abrasive material made from silicon carbide, used for grinding, polishing, and sharpening tools and surfaces.

From Latin carbo (coal, carbon) + corundum (from Sanskrit kuruvinda, meaning ruby). The word was coined as a trademarked name for silicon carbide when it was first manufactured in 1891.

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