spall Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a fragment broken off from the edge or face of stone or ore and having at least one thin edge
    spawl.
    • a truck bearing a mound of blue spalls

WordNet

Spall noun
Etymology
OF. espaule; cf. It. spalla. See Epaule.
Definitions
  1. The shoulder. Obs. Spenser.
Spall noun
Etymology
Prov. E. spall, spell. See Spale, Spell a splinter.
Definitions
  1. A chip or fragment, especially a chip of stone as struck off the block by the hammer, having at least one feather-edge.
Spall transitive verb
Definitions
  1. (Mining) To break into small pieces, as ore, for the purpose of separating from rock. Pryce.
  2. (Masonry) To reduce, as irregular blocks of stone, to an approximately level surface by hammering.
Spall intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To give off spalls, or wedge-shaped chips; -- said of stone, as when badly set, with the weight thrown too much on the outer surface.

Webster 1913