# sanding

Pronunciation: say "SAND-ing" /ˈsændɪŋ/

## Noun

1. The act or process of smoothing or shaping a surface by rubbing it with sandpaper or a similar abrasive.
   - Simple: The rubbing of a surface with sandpaper to make it smooth.
   - _The cabinet needed several hours of sanding before it could be stained._
   - _A quick sanding between coats gives the finish a smoother result._
3. The application of sand to railway rails to improve the grip between the wheels and the track.
   - Simple: The dropping of sand onto train rails to help the wheels grip the track.
   - _Automatic sanding kicks in when the locomotive detects wheel slip._
   - _The driver applied manual sanding while climbing the steep grade._
4. A coating of sugar crystals applied to confectionery, especially to jellied candies.
   - Simple: A layer of sugar crystals on the outside of candy, especially on jelly candies.
   - _The factory adds a sanding of fine sugar to each batch of fruit jellies._
   - _Without a proper sanding, the soft candies clump together in the box._
5. A type of dance performed on a floor covered with sand.
   - Simple: A kind of dance done on a floor covered with sand.
   - _The vaudeville act ended with a lively sanding across the stage._
   - _Sanding requires a smooth, even layer of sand underfoot so the dancer's shoes can slide and tap._
6. The process of testing the surface of fired gilding using fine sand and water.
   - Simple: The checking of a gilded surface, after firing, by rubbing it with fine sand and water.
   - _The gilder's sanding revealed a flaw in the freshly fired surface._
   - _Each piece undergoes sanding before it leaves the workshop._
7. Covering oysters with sand so that they are buried.
   - Simple: The burying of oysters in sand.
   - _The fishery's sanding buried each batch of oysters along the shore._
   - _After the sanding, the oysters stay buried in cool, wet sand until they are shipped to market._

## Verb

2. Present participle and gerund of sand. — present participle and gerund of sand
   - Simple: Present participle and gerund of sand. Use this -ing form when the action is happening now or is named as a thing.
   - _She is sanding the hull of the boat before repainting it._
   - _Workers were sanding the beams when the power suddenly failed._

## Origin

**Meaning 2** — Formed from "sand" combined with the suffix "-ing".
**Meanings 1, 3–7** — From Middle English "sanding" (also spelled "sandyng"), equivalent to "sand" plus the suffix "-ing".

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/sanding (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).