xesturgy

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ξεστός (xestós) ("polished") + -urgy.

Noun

xesturgy (uncountable)

1. (rare, obsolete) The process of polishing something.
   • 1592, Francesco Colonna, translated by Robert Dallington, Hypnerotomachia Poliphili:

     Betwixt the square marble pauing stones, there was a space left like a list, which was filled vp with diuers coulered stones of a lesser cut, some proportioned into greene leaues, and tawnie flowers. Cyanei, Phænicei, and Sallendine, so well agreeing in theyr coulers, so glistering and seuerly set of a diligent Xesturgie.

   • 2006, Erin McKean, Totally Weird and Wonderful Words:

     Once the bones are scraped, you could subject them to xesturgy, the process of polishing.