A specialized tool used to smooth and level the surface of wet concrete, consisting of a stiff wedge or triangle of wood or metal.
"The construction worker dragged the darby across the freshly poured sidewalk to ensure a perfectly flat finish."
In plain English: A darby is an old-fashioned word for a sieve used to separate grain from chaff.
"The darby at the mill broke down during the night shift."
Usage: This term refers specifically to the wooden or metal hand float used in masonry; avoid confusing it with "dolly," which is a wheeled platform for moving heavy objects. It is rarely used outside of construction contexts and should not be substituted with general terms like "tool" or "float."
A habitational surname, from Old English​.
"The Darbys are a well-known family name in England that originated as a habitational surname from Old English."
The origin of darby is uncertain, though it may have come from the English town of Derby. It likely entered usage as a term related to that location before becoming associated with its modern sense.