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abrade

[uh-breyd]
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verb (used with or without object), a·brad·ed, a·brad·ing.
  1. to wear off or down by scraping or rubbing.
  2. to scrape off.
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Origin of abrade

1670–80; < Latin abrādere, equivalent to ab- ab- + rādere to scrape
Related formsa·brad·a·ble, adjectivea·brad·er, nounun·a·brad·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

chafeerodescuffrubweargratetriturate

Examples from the Web for abrade

Historical Examples

  • In all cases, however, a hard file will abrade the surface of the false stone.

    The Chemistry, Properties and Tests of Precious Stones

    John Mastin

  • This is specially the case with Chaffinches and Bramblings: Greenfinches abrade later.

  • Genuine amber, when rubbed together, emits a very fragrant odour similar to a fresh lemon, and does not abrade the surface.

  • Wherever they find calcareous strata to abrade, the water is almost milklike in hue for miles around.

British Dictionary definitions for abrade

abrade

verb
  1. (tr) to scrape away or wear down by friction; erode
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Derived Formsabradant, nounabrader, noun

Word Origin

C17: from Latin abrādere to scrape away, from ab- 1 + rādere to scrape
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for abrade

v.

1670s, from Latin abradere "to scrape off" (see abrasion). Related: Abraded; abrading.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
abrade in Medicine

abrade

(ə-brād′)
v.
  1. To wear away by mechanical action.
  2. To scrape away the surface layer from a part.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.