abrasive
UK[əˈbreɪsɪv]US[əˈbreɪsɪv]
adj
(of a substance or material) capable of polishing or cleaning a hard surface by rubbing or grinding.
adj
(of a person or manner) showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh.
Morpheme Breakdown
abrade
ive
abrade
to scrape off
ive
adjective-forming suffix
Etymology
The word 'abrasive' is a modern English formation derived from the verb 'abrade', which entered English in the 17th century from the Latin 'abradere', meaning 'to scrape away'. This Latin verb is a compound of the prefix 'ab-' (away, off) and the root 'radere' (to scrape, shave). The core concept of scraping or wearing down through friction is preserved directly in the modern adjective's primary meaning, describing a physical substance like sandpaper. The secondary, figurative sense describing a harsh personality logically extends this physical metaphor, implying a manner that figuratively wears down or irritates others.
Analysis
Structure: abrade (to scrape off) + ive (adjective-forming suffix)
- 'abrade': From Latin 'abradere', from 'ab-' (away) + 'radere' (to scrape).
- 'ive': A suffix forming adjectives from verbs, indicating a tendency, function, or connection.
Examples
Use an abrasive cleaner to remove the stubborn stain from the sink.
His abrasive comments during the meeting offended several colleagues.
Silicon carbide is a common abrasive material used in grinding wheels.