esmolar

Catalan

Etymology

From es- +‎ mola (“grindstone, millstone”) +‎ -ar.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): (Central)
• IPA^(key): (Balearic)
• IPA^(key): (Valencian)

Verb

esmolar (first-person singular present esmolo, first-person singular preterite esmolí, past participle esmolat); root stress: (Central, Valencian, Balearic) /ɔ/

1. (transitive, also figurative) to sharpen, to hone

   Synonym: afilar

   • 1934, Joan Puig i Ferreter, Camins de França:

     La realitat t'ha portat entremig de moltes menes d'homes, t'ha fet conèixer diversos oficis, t'ha ensenyat de rumiar, d'esmolar l'enginy, ha multiplicat la teva astúcia i la teva força, i amb tot això no t'has alliberat de fer coneixença amb el fred i la fam.

     Reality has brought you among many types of men, it has acquainted you with different trades, it has taught you to ponder, to hone your wits, it has increased your cunning and your strength, and with all that you haven't set yourself free from getting to know cold and hunger.

Conjugation

Derived terms

• esmolador
• esmolat
• pedra d'esmolar

Further reading

• “esmolar” in Diccionari de la llengua catalana, segona edició, Institut d’Estudis Catalans.

Portuguese

Etymology

From esmola +‎ -ar.

Pronunciation

Verb

esmolar (first-person singular present esmolo, first-person singular preterite esmolei, past participle esmolado) (transitive or intransitive)

1. to give as alms, to donate
2. to ask as alms, to beg

Conjugation

References

• “esmolar” in Dicionário infopédia da Língua Portuguesa. Porto: Porto Editora, 2003–2024.
• “esmolar” in Michaelis Dicionário Brasileiro da Língua Portuguesa.