abrasion

[uh-brey-zhuhn]

noun

1. a scraped spot or area; the result of rubbing or abrading.

   abrasions on his leg caused by falling on the gravel.

   Synonyms: lesion, scrape, sore

2. the act or process of abrading.

   Synonyms: erosion, rubbing

abrasion

/ əˈbreɪʒən /

noun

1. the process of scraping or wearing down by friction

2. a scraped area or spot; graze

3. geography the effect of mechanical erosion of rock, esp a river bed, by rock fragments scratching and scraping it; wearing down Compare attrition corrasion

abrasion

1. The process of wearing away a surface by friction. A rock undergoes abrasion when particles of sand or small pieces of rock are carried across its surface by a glacier, stream, or the wind.

2. A scraped area on the skin or mucous membranes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of abrasion¹

1650–60; < Medieval Latin abrāsiōn- (stem of abrāsiō ), equivalent to abrās ( us ) scraped off (past participle of abrādere; abrade ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of abrasion¹

C17: from Medieval Latin abrāsiōn-, from the past participle of Latin abrādere to _abrade

Example Sentences

One person was hospitalized with abrasions and lacerations and the other five were treated at a hospital, she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Sir Geoff's academic work saw him invent the barley abrasion process - which involves deliberately damaging the protective husk of grains to speed up the process of malting.

From BBC

Trofodermin is readily available in Italy for skin abrasions, cuts and wounds.

From BBC

Ms Francis suffered concussion in the crash and deep abrasions on her face and body.

From BBC

"That left skin abrasions on my knees," he said, adding it had been a "violating feeling".

From BBC

Related Words

• scrape