abrasion

Everyday

1. A scrape on the skin where the top layer has been rubbed off, like a grazed knee. tree →
2. (science) The wearing away of a surface by rubbing, like rocks worn smooth by sand, water or wind. tree →

In the lessons

In first aid: an abrasion is a graze; clean it with water and cover it. In science (geography, rocks): abrasion is one way rivers, waves, glaciers and wind erode land. Phrases: minor abrasions, cuts and abrasions, abrasion by sand.

Examples

• She fell off her bike and got an abrasion on her elbow. tree →
• Clean an abrasion with clean water before putting on a plaster. tree →
• The rocks on the beach were smoothed by abrasion. tree →
• The river carries stones that wear away its bed by abrasion. tree →
• He had only cuts and abrasions after the fall. tree →
• Wind blowing sand causes abrasion in deserts. tree →

Note

Countable when it means a scrape (two abrasions), uncountable for the process. Everyday words: graze, scrape (UK and Australia say "graze" a lot). Adjective abrasive means rough and rubbing (also rude and harsh in manner).