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Friction

 - 5 dictionary results

fric⋅tion

  [frik-shuhn]
Use Friction in a Sentence
–noun
1. surface resistance to relative motion, as of a body sliding or rolling.
2. the rubbing of the surface of one body against that of another.
3. dissension or conflict between persons, nations, etc., because of differing ideas, wishes, etc.
Origin:
1575–85; < L frictiōn- (s. of frictiō) a rubbing, equiv. to frict(us) (ptp. of fricāre) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms:
fric⋅tion⋅less, adjective
fric⋅tion⋅less⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
3. discord, dissidence, clash, antagonism, contention, wrangling.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Friction
fric·tion   (frĭk'shən)   
n.  

  1. The rubbing of one object or surface against another.

  2. Conflict, as between persons having dissimilar ideas or interests; clash.

  3. Physics A force that resists the relative motion or tendency to such motion of two bodies or substances in contact.


[Latin frictiō, frictiōn-, from frictus, past participle of fricāre, to rub.]
fric'tion·al adj., fric'tion·al·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

friction

The resistance of an object to the medium through which or on which it is traveling, such as air, water, or a solid floor.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

friction 
1563, from L. frictionem (nom. frictio) "a rubbing, rubbing down," from fricare "to rub." Sense of "resistance to motion" is from 1722; figurative sense of "disagreement, clash" first recorded 1761.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

friction fric·tion (frĭk'shən)
n.

  1. The rubbing of one object or surface against another.

  2. A physical force that resists the relative motion or tendency to such motion of two bodies in contact.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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