detrition

American  

[dih-trish-uhn] / dɪˈtrɪʃ ən /

noun

1. the act of wearing away by rubbing.

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detrition British  

/ dɪˈtrɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of rubbing or wearing away by friction

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Etymology

Origin of detrition

1665–75; < Medieval Latin dētrītiōn- (stem of dētrītiō ), equivalent to Latin dētrīt ( us ) (past participle of dēterere; detritus ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Mr. Jukes Brown, whom I have just quoted, says: “The Wold hills must have been, in some way, exposed to a severe and long-continued detrition, when erosive agencies were very active.”

From Records of Woodhall Spa and Neighbourhood Historical, Anecdotal, Physiographical, and Archaeological, with Other Matter by Walter, James Conway

The "Hole" has been made by the detrition and washing out of the shale and the fall of the overlying rock.

From The Falls of Niagara and Other Famous Cataracts by Holley, George W.

Nowadays it has become the custom to place these slabs upright against the walls, thus preventing further detrition.

From Donatello, by Lord Balcarres by Crawford, David Lindsay, Earl of

The site or lie of the city is principally in two hollow basins, in which the detrition of houses forms now a soil for grain, for fruit gardens and good tobacco.

From Byeways in Palestine by Finn, James

Omaha Intelligencer," which has escaped the detrition of the thirty-six thousand days and nights, he will say,— "Why, this was the beginning of what we do now!

From The Brick Moon and Other Stories by Hale, Edward Everett