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Sherd: meaning, definitions and examples

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sherd

 

[ ʃɜrd ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

fragment, piece

A sherd is a piece of broken ceramic, such as pottery or glass, that is found in archaeological excavations. These fragments provide valuable insights into the historical usage of materials and the culture of the people who made and used them.

Synonyms

fragment, piece, potshard

Examples of usage

  • The archaeologist discovered a sherd of ancient pottery.
  • There were many sherds scattered around the excavation site.
  • The sherds helped researchers date the settlement.

Etymology

The word 'sherd' is derived from the Old English term 'sceard', which means a piece that has been cut or broken off. In archaeology, the term specifically refers to fragments of pottery or glass found at excavation sites. This usage became more formalized in the 20th century as a need arose among archaeologists to describe these artifacts that provide crucial information about historical cultures. As excavation techniques improved, more sherds were uncovered, leading to greater interest in their study. Today, 'sherd' is a key term in archaeological literature, signifying the importance of these remnants in understanding past societies.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,833, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.