schleif
Schleif is a German term used primarily in mechanical engineering and manufacturing. It is not commonly used as a standalone concept; rather it serves as a stem in compound nouns derived from the verb schleifen (to grind, to sand, to polish) and denotes the act of abrasion or the tools and materials involved.
Common compounds include Schleifscheibe (grinding wheel), Schleifpapier (sandpaper), Schleifband (grinding belt), Schleifkorn (abrasive grain), Schleifmittel (abrasive
Applications: In metalworking, woodworking, stone and ceramic finishing, Schleifen removes material and produces a particular surface
Etymology and usage: Derived from schleifen; used as a productive morphological base in many technical terms.