nail filen.
/ˈneɪl fʌɪl/, U.S. /ˈneɪl ˌfaɪl/ An implement for smoothing and shaping the edges of fingernails and toenails; esp. a strip of roughened metal or emery board used for this purpose.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the body > [noun] > beautification of the hands and feet > instruments used on the nails > for filing
emery board1725
nail file1819
1819 Leeds Intelligencer 19 Apr. 3/5 The following is a list of the articles contained in the above knife:—One stick knife blade, one pruning knife blade,..one nail file, one chissel, one corkscrew, [etc.].
1922 F. Courtenay Physical Beauty 47 When you have shaped the external edge of the nails with a fine pair of scissors, finish with emery or a steel nail file.
1990 M. Harris Speed xi. 249 I tried to pick the lock with a nail file, as I had heard of such things being done, but I had no skill at it.
2009 E. Hornung Dog Boy (2010) 216 I should give him a nail file so he can do his manicure in style!
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2021; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1819