waney

Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • noun A sharp or uneven edge on a board that is cut from a log not perfectly squared, or that is made in the process of squaring.

Examples

  • Quoting from Horace Kephart's excellent book on woodcraft, an experienced man can tell a straight-grained log by merely scanning the bark; if the ridges and furrows of the bark run straight up and down the wood will have a corresponding straight grain, but if they are spiral the wood will split waney or not at all.

    Shelters, Shacks and Shanties

  • About one-third of the boards of a log have rough edges, and are called waney.

    Handwork in Wood

  • Waney is a good word, almost as good as sensiation; so when you try to quarter a log with which to chink your cabin or log house don't select a waney log.

    Shelters, Shacks and Shanties

Note

The word 'waney' comes from an Old English word meaning 'lack'.