nailful

English

Etymology

nail +‎ -ful

Noun

nailful (plural nailfuls or nailsful)

1. Enough to be stored under or on one's fingernail.
   • 1926, Glimpses of Huron Shore in Early Days and Story of Harrisville:

     Sovey rushed inside and dashed a couple of nailsful of water into the burning ventilator, but to no purpose.

   • 1988, Catherine Dai, Bound feet: stories of contemporary Taiwan, page 81:

     She was clawing at his undershirt, ripping the thin cotton and piercing his skin with her nails, digging into the flesh and gouging out crescent slivers of skin and blood, picking him apart, nailful by nailful.

   • 2009, Linus Tongwo Asong, Salvation Colony, page 24:

     The man smiled, took out his snuff box and drew in a few nailfuls.

   • 2010, Bill Vidal, The Aztec, page 73:

     Mercedes moved away from Jack and gripping Rosa's hand – her own nails were too short – she took a pinch and inhaled it. Rosa kissed Mercedes on the lips then took a further nailful and offered it to Jack who shook his head.

Synonyms

• fingernailful

Anagrams

• Ulfilan