friction
[ frik-shuhn ]
/ ˈfrɪk ʃən /
noun
surface resistance to relative motion, as of a body sliding or rolling.
the rubbing of the surface of one body against that of another.
dissension or conflict between persons, nations, etc., because of differing ideas, wishes, etc.
Origin of friction
1575–85; < Latin
frictiōn- (stem of
frictiō) a rubbing, equivalent to
frict(us) (past participle of
fricāre) +
-iōn-
-ion
SYNONYMS FOR friction
OTHER WORDS FROM friction
Words nearby friction
frication,
fricative,
frick,
fricking,
frics,
friction,
friction clutch,
friction drive,
friction gearing,
friction head,
friction match
Example sentences from the Web for friction
British Dictionary definitions for friction
friction
/ (ˈfrɪkʃən) /
noun
a resistance encountered when one body moves relative to another body with which it is in contact
the act, effect, or an instance of rubbing one object against another
disagreement or conflict; discord
phonetics
the hissing element of a speech sound, such as a fricative
perfumed alcohol used on the hair to stimulate the scalp
Derived forms of friction
frictional, adjective frictionless, adjectiveWord Origin for friction
C16: from French, from Latin
frictiō a rubbing, from
fricāre to rub, rub down; related to Latin
friāre to crumble
Medical definitions for friction
friction
[ frĭk′shən ]
n.
The rubbing of one object or surface against another.
A physical force that resists the relative motion or tendency to such motion of two bodies in contact.
Scientific definitions for friction
friction
[ frĭk′shən ]
A force on objects or substances in contact with each other that resists motion of the objects or substances relative to each other.♦ Static friction arises between two objects that are not in motion with respect to each other, as for example between a cement block and a wooden floor. It increases to counterbalance forces that would move the objects, up to a certain maximum level of force, at which point the objects will begin moving. It is measured as the maximum force the bodies will sustain before motion occurs.♦ Kinetic friction arises between bodies that are in motion with respect to each other, as for example the force that works against sliding a cement block along a wooden floor. Between two hard surfaces, the kinetic friction is usually somewhat lower than the static friction, meaning that more force is required to set the objects in motion than to keep them in motion. See also drag.
Cultural definitions for friction
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.