Definition of "carborundum"

There is no doubt that such a button — properly prepared under great pressure — of carborundum, especially of powder of the best quality, will withstand the effect of the bombardment fully as well as anything we know.

1892, Nikola Tesla, Experiments with Alternate Currents of High Potential and High Frequency, Wildside Press LLC, page 73

This can most readily be done by use of carborundum marking. The procedure involves successive marking of the same mat with layers of carborundum at least twice.

1976, M.R. Walter, Stromatolites, Elsevier, page 28

At the same times, samples were taken to determine that the carborundum treatment did increase the amount of wear of the mandibles compared with insects on the diet without carborundum powder.

1995, Reg F. Chapman, Gerrit de Boer, Regulatory Mechanisms in Insect Feeding, Springer Science & Business Media, page 22

Print made by combining carborundum—a carbon and silicon compound customarily used for polishing by abrasion—with synthetic resin or varnish (see also Prints, §III, 5).

2008, Gerald W. R. Ward, The Grove Encyclopedia of Materials and Techniques in Art, Oxford University Press, page 83