detrition

[ dih-trish-uhn ]

noun

1. the act of wearing away by rubbing.

detrition

/ dɪˈtrɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of rubbing or wearing away by friction

Word History and Origins

Origin of detrition¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of detrition¹

C17: from Medieval Latin dētrītiō, from Latin dētrītus worn away; see detriment

Example Sentences

“A major dissatisfier has been the detrition of our room product . . . especially our bathrooms, which are actually twenty years old,” Sanders, the general manager, wrote in the letter.

From Washington Post

“A major dissatisfier has been the detrition of our room product … especially our bathrooms, which are actually twenty years old,” Sanders, the general manager, wrote in the letter.

From Seattle Times

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

From Project Gutenberg

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 Project Gutenberg

Another is the constant repetition of certain words and phrases which have lost their meaning by detrition and are known to all.

From Project Gutenberg