First Known Use: 1704
Dictionary
friction
noun fric·tion \ˈfrik-shən\
: the act of rubbing one thing against another
: the force that causes a moving object to slow down when it is touching another object
: disagreement or tension between people or groups of people
Full Definition of FRICTION
1
a : the rubbing of one body against another b : the force that resists relative motion between two bodies in contact
2
: the clashing between two persons or parties of opposed views : disagreement
3
: sound produced by the movement of air through a narrow constriction in the mouth or glottis
— fric·tion·less \-ləs\ adjective
— fric·tion·less·ly adverb
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Origin of FRICTION
earlier, therapeutic rubbing of the limbs, from Middle French, from Latin friction-, frictio, from fricare to rub; akin to Latin friare to crumble, and perhaps to Sanskrit bhrīṇanti they injure
Related to FRICTION
- Synonyms
- conflict, disaccord, discordance, discordancy, disharmony, dissension (also dissention), dissent, dissidence, dissonance, disunion, disunity, division, discord, infighting, inharmony, schism, strife, variance, war, warfare
Other Physics Terms
FRICTION Defined for Kids
friction
noun fric·tion \ˈfrik-shən\
Definition of FRICTION for Kids
1
: the rubbing of one thing against another
2
: resistance to motion between bodies in contact <Oiling the parts of the machine reduces friction.>
3
: disagreement among persons or groups
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