abrade

[uh-breyd]

See more synonyms for abrade on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with or without object), a·brad·ed, a·brad·ing.

to wear off or down by scraping or rubbing.
to scrape off.

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 for abrade

chafe, erode, scuff, rub, wear, grate, triturate

Examples from the Web for abrade

Historical Examples of abrade

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.
Among the Birds in Northern Shires
Charles Dixon
Genuine amber, when rubbed together, emits a very fragrant odour similar to a fresh lemon, and does not abrade the surface.
Notes and Queries, Number 188, June 4, 1853
Various
Wherever they find calcareous strata to abrade, the water is almost milklike in hue for miles around.
Wonderland; or Alaska and the Inside Passage
Lieut. Frederick Schwatka

British Dictionary definitions for abrade

abrade

verb

(tr) to scrape away or wear down by friction; erode

Derived Formsabradant, nounabrader, noun

Word Origin for abrade

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

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

abrade in Medicine

abrade

[ə-brād′]

To wear away by mechanical action.
To scrape away the surface layer from a part.