Sandblasters

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Devices or persons that use a high-pressure stream of abrasive particles to clean, smooth, or etch surfaces
2. Tools or operators that propel fine grains at strong force to remove coatings, rust, or shape materials
3. Equipment or individuals that employ a blast of sand or abrasive media for surface preparation or finishing tasks

Etymology: Sandblasters is simply the plural of "sandblaster", so the history belongs to the singular. The word is a compound of "sand" and "blaster". "Sand" is an ancient English word, while "blaster" comes from "blast", which refers to a forceful gust or burst of air or other material. Put together, the term describes a device or person that propels sand at high speed, typically to clean, roughen, or polish a surface. Because the two parts are plain English, the word needs no borrowing from another language. Its meaning follows directly from its parts: the sand is the abrasive, and the blaster is the thing that drives it. The plural form simply refers to several such machines or workers at once.

Synonyms: abrasive blasters, grit blasters