Definition of spall

• n. - The shoulder.
• n. - A chip or fragment, especially a chip of stone as struck off the block by the hammer, having at least one feather-edge.
• v. t. - To break into small pieces, as ore, for the purpose of separating from rock.
• v. t. - To reduce, as irregular blocks of stone, to an approximately level surface by hammering.
• v. i. - To give off spalls, or wedge-shaped chips; -- said of stone, as when badly set, with the weight thrown too much on the outer surface.