abrade

The definition of abrade means to wear away the surface of something or make something rougher, often by using friction.

(verb)

An example of abrade is the erosion of rocks on a coast line from water continually beating on them.

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See abrade in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb, intransitive verb abraded, abrading

to scrape or rub off; wear away by scraping or rubbing

Origin: L abradere < ab-, away + radere, to scrape: see rat

Related Forms:

See abrade in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb a·brad·ed, a·brad·ing, a·brades
  1. To wear down or rub away by friction; erode. See Synonyms at chafe.
  2. To make weary through constant irritation; wear down spiritually.

Origin:

Origin: Latin abrādere, to scrape off

Origin: : ab-, away; see ab-1

Origin: + rādere, to scrape; see rēd- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • a·bradˈa·ble adjective

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