abrasive

[uh-brey-siv, -ziv]

noun

any material or substance used for grinding, polishing, etc., as emery, pumice, or sandpaper.

adjective

tending to abrade; causing abrasion; abrading.

tending to annoy or cause ill will; overly aggressive: an abrasive personality.

Origin of abrasive

1870–75; < Latin abrās(us) (see abrasion) + -ive

Related formsa·bra·sive·ly, adverba·bra·sive·ness, nounun·a·bra·sive, adjectiveun·a·bra·sive·ly, adverb

Synonyms for abrasive

2. harsh, rough, rasping.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for abrasiveness

Contemporary Examples of abrasiveness

When in disagreement, Scalia became known for the “abrasiveness of his attacks against opponents.”
The Outside Game of Justice Scalia, a Loner With Clout
David Fontana
June 16, 2014

British Dictionary definitions for abrasiveness

abrasive

noun

a substance or material such as sandpaper, pumice, or emery, used for cleaning, grinding, smoothing, or polishing

adjective

causing abrasion; grating; rough

irritating in manner or personality; causing tension or annoyance

Derived Formsabrasiveness, noun

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 abrasiveness

abrasive

"an abrasive substance," 1853, from abrasive (adj.).

abrasive

adj.

1805, from Latin abras-, past participle stem of abradere (see abrasion) + -ive. Figurative sense of "tending to provoke anger" is first recorded 1925. Related: Abrasively; abrasiveness.

abrasiveness in Medicine

abrasiveness

[ə-brā′sĭv-nĭs]

n.

The property of a substance that causes surface wear by friction.

The quality of being able to scratch or abrade another material.

abrasive

[ə-brā′sĭv]

adj.

Causing abrasion.

n.

A material used to produce abrasion.