abrasion
uh-BRAY-zhun
/əˈbreɪʒən/
An area of skin worn away by friction or scraping; a superficial wound.
An abrasion damages only the outer skin surface layers (epidermis), distinct from a deep cut (laceration) or puncture.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'abradere' (to scrape off), combining 'ab-' (away) and 'radere' (to scrape—the same root behind 'razor'). It was adopted into medical English in the 17th century to describe skin loss caused by rough contact.
Word relationships
- scrape: Scrape is the informal everyday term; abrasion is the formal medical designation.
- grazing: Grazing implies light brushing contact across skin, common in sports contexts.
- laceration: A deep cut or jagged tear into inner muscle or tissue layers.
Commonly confused with
- contusion: A contusion is a internal bruise without breaking the skin surface, whereas an abrasion rubs off upper skin layers.
Word family
- abrade (verb): To wear down or scrape away by friction.
- abrasive (adjective/noun): Rough or harsh material that scrapes away surfaces.
Collocations
- superficial abrasion
- skin abrasion
- corneal abrasion
- abrasion resistance
Example sentences
- "The cyclist sustained multiple superficial abrasions on his elbows after skidding across the gravel road." Emergency room triage
- "The heavy canvas fabric was engineered specifically to withstand severe friction and surface abrasion." Material wear
Memory hook
ABRASION happens when you ABRUPTLY ERASE skin on asphalt. Scraped skin from friction.
When not to use
Do not use 'abrasion' for a deep knife cut with smooth severed edges.
Fun facts
- Road rash suffered by motorcycle and bicycle riders is medically classified as a combination of first- and second-degree friction abrasions.
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