Abrasion

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /əˈbɹeɪ.Ê’nÌ©/
• Rhymes: -eɪʒən

Origin

First attested in 1656. From French abrasion (attested since 1611), from Medieval Latin abrasio ("a scraping"), from abrādō ("scrape off"). See also abrade.

Full definition of abrasion

Noun

1. The act of abrading, wearing, or rubbing off; the wearing away by friction. First attested in the mid 17^th century.

1. (obsolete) The substance thus rubbed off; debris. First attested in the mid 18^th century.
2. (geology) The effect of mechanical erosion of rock, especially a river bed, by rock fragments scratching and scraping it. First attested in the mid 19^th century.
3. An abraded, scraped, or worn area. First attested in the mid 20^th century.
4. (medicine) A superficial wound caused by scraping; an area of skin where the cells on the surface have been scraped or worn away. First attested in the mid 20^th century.
5. (dentistry) The wearing away of the surface of the tooth by chewing.

Synonyms

Related terms

• abrade