rabid

Examples

//abrasion of rocks by wind and water
//walked away from the auto accident with only minor abrasions

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin abrāsiōn-, abrāsiō, from Latin abrādere "to scrape off" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at abrade

abrasion

noun

Synonyms

an area of skin roughened or worn away by harsh rubbing against another surface //walked away from the auto accident with only minor abrasions
Synonyms

bruise graze scrape
Related Words

bedsore gall

curiosity

noun

cu·ri·os·i·ty

ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈä-s(ə-)tē ˌkyər-

plural curiosities

Definition

desire to know:
inquisitive interest in others' concerns nosiness //The construction inside their house aroused the curiosity of their neighbors.
interest leading to inquiry //intellectual curiosity //Her natural curiosity led her to ask more questions.
archaic undue nicety or fastidiousness
one that arouses interest especially for uncommon or exotic characteristics //Tobacco was once regarded as a curiosity in Europe.
an unusual knickknack curio //The antique shop was full of curiosities.
a curious trait or aspect

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

//Her natural curiosity led her to ask more questions.
//The arrival of a construction crew at their house attracted the curiosity of their neighbors.
//The movie failed to satisfy her curiosity about the assassination.
//Tobacco was once a curiosity in Europe.
//The antique shop was full of curiosities.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

— see curious

curiosity

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

an eager desire to find out about things that are often none of one's business //our neighbor's curiosity about what we were doing last night was really offensive
Synonyms

curiousness inquisitiveness nosiness
Related Words

attentiveness concern interest regard wonderment
inquiry interrogation prying questioning
interference intrusiveness meddlesomeness obtrusiveness officiousness
eavesdropping rubbernecking
Near Antonyms

apathy disinterestedness disregard indifference unconcern
Antonyms

incuriosity incuriousness
something strange or unusual that is an object of interest //the museum's curiosities include items constructed entirely out of toothpicks
Synonyms

curio exotic objet d'art (also objet) oddity oddment rarity
Related Words

found object objet trouvé
curiosa ephemera virtu (or vertu)
marvel prodigy rara avis rare bird wonder
abnormality anomaly freak monster monstrosity
malformation mutant mutation
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest //an assortment of curiosities from around the world that the family picked up during various vacations
Synonyms

bauble bibelot curio doodad gaud gewgaw (also geegaw) gimcrack kickshaw knickknack (also nicknack) novelty ornamental tchotchke trinket
Related Words

bijouterie bric-a-brac gimcrackery trinketry trumpery virtu (or vertu)
bagatelle trifle
figurine objet d'art (also objet) ornament
keepsake memento souvenir
conversation piece
collectible (or collectable) collector's item
an odd or peculiar habit //Charles Dickens typically endowed his characters with an array of endearing curiosities
Synonyms

crotchet eccentricity erraticism idiosyncrasy individualism kink mannerism oddity peculiarity quiddity quip quirk
noun

Synonyms
- a person who cultivates the land and grows crops on it //encountered an indigenous people who were experienced cultivators of the soil as well as highly skilled craftsmen
  Synonyms
  
  agriculturist (or agriculturalist) agronomist farmer grower planter tiller
  Related Words
  
  farmhand field hand gleaner harvester plowman reaper
  workfolk (or workfolks)
  crofter [chiefly British] cropper gentleman farmer sharecropper subsistence farmer tenant farmer yeoman
  homesteader nester [West]
  granger
  rancher ranchero ranchman
  campesino

abomasum

noun

ab·oma·sum

ˌa-bō-ˈmā-səm

plural abomasa ˌa-bō-ˈmā-sə

Definition

the fourth compartment of the ruminant stomach that follows the omasum and has a true digestive function
— compare rumen, reticulum

Other Words

abomasal ˌa-bō-ˈmā-səl adjective

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology

borrowed from New Latin abomāsum, from ab- ab- + omāsum omasum

cuneiform

adjective

cu·ne·i·form

kyü-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə-

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

having the shape of a wedge
composed of or written in wedge-shaped characters //cuneiform syllabary

noun

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

a cuneiform part
specifically a cuneiform bone or cartilage
cuneiform writing

Illustration

Noun

cuneiform 2

First Known Use

Adjective

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

Adjective

probably from French cunéiforme, from Middle French, from Latin cuneus + Middle French -iforme -iform

abrasion

noun

abra·sion

ə-ˈbrā-zhən

Definition

a wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction
irritation
an abraded area of the skin or mucous membrane

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Examples

//abrasion of rocks by wind and water
//walked away from the auto accident with only minor abrasions

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin abrāsiōn-, abrāsiō, from Latin abrādere "to scrape off" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at abrade

abrasion

noun

Synonyms

an area of skin roughened or worn away by harsh rubbing against another surface //walked away from the auto accident with only minor abrasions
Synonyms

bruise graze scrape
Related Words

bedsore gall

curiosity

noun

cu·ri·os·i·ty

ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈä-s(ə-)tē ˌkyər-

plural curiosities

Definition

desire to know:
inquisitive interest in others' concerns nosiness //The construction inside their house aroused the curiosity of their neighbors.
interest leading to inquiry //intellectual curiosity //Her natural curiosity led her to ask more questions.
archaic undue nicety or fastidiousness
one that arouses interest especially for uncommon or exotic characteristics //Tobacco was once regarded as a curiosity in Europe.
an unusual knickknack curio //The antique shop was full of curiosities.
a curious trait or aspect

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

//Her natural curiosity led her to ask more questions.
//The arrival of a construction crew at their house attracted the curiosity of their neighbors.
//The movie failed to satisfy her curiosity about the assassination.
//Tobacco was once a curiosity in Europe.
//The antique shop was full of curiosities.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

— see curious

curiosity

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

an eager desire to find out about things that are often none of one's business //our neighbor's curiosity about what we were doing last night was really offensive
Synonyms

curiousness inquisitiveness nosiness
Related Words

attentiveness concern interest regard wonderment
inquiry interrogation prying questioning
interference intrusiveness meddlesomeness obtrusiveness officiousness
eavesdropping rubbernecking
Near Antonyms

apathy disinterestedness disregard indifference unconcern
Antonyms

incuriosity incuriousness
something strange or unusual that is an object of interest //the museum's curiosities include items constructed entirely out of toothpicks
Synonyms

curio exotic objet d'art (also objet) oddity oddment rarity
Related Words

found object objet trouvé
curiosa ephemera virtu (or vertu)
marvel prodigy rara avis rare bird wonder
abnormality anomaly freak monster monstrosity
malformation mutant mutation
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest //an assortment of curiosities from around the world that the family picked up during various vacations
Synonyms

bauble bibelot curio doodad gaud gewgaw (also geegaw) gimcrack kickshaw knickknack (also nicknack) novelty ornamental tchotchke trinket
Related Words

bijouterie bric-a-brac gimcrackery trinketry trumpery virtu (or vertu)
bagatelle trifle
figurine objet d'art (also objet) ornament
keepsake memento souvenir
conversation piece
collectible (or collectable) collector's item
an odd or peculiar habit //Charles Dickens typically endowed his characters with an array of endearing curiosities
Synonyms

crotchet eccentricity erraticism idiosyncrasy individualism kink mannerism oddity peculiarity quiddity quip quirk
noun

Synonyms
- a person who cultivates the land and grows crops on it //encountered an indigenous people who were experienced cultivators of the soil as well as highly skilled craftsmen
  Synonyms
  
  agriculturist (or agriculturalist) agronomist farmer grower planter tiller
  Related Words
  
  farmhand field hand gleaner harvester plowman reaper
  workfolk (or workfolks)
  crofter [chiefly British] cropper gentleman farmer sharecropper subsistence farmer tenant farmer yeoman
  homesteader nester [West]
  granger
  rancher ranchero ranchman
  campesino

abomasum

noun

ab·oma·sum

ˌa-bō-ˈmā-səm

plural abomasa ˌa-bō-ˈmā-sə

Definition

the fourth compartment of the ruminant stomach that follows the omasum and has a true digestive function
— compare rumen, reticulum

Other Words

abomasal ˌa-bō-ˈmā-səl adjective

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology

borrowed from New Latin abomāsum, from ab- ab- + omāsum omasum

cuneiform

adjective

cu·ne·i·form

kyü-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə-

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

having the shape of a wedge
composed of or written in wedge-shaped characters //cuneiform syllabary

noun

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

a cuneiform part
specifically a cuneiform bone or cartilage
cuneiform writing

Illustration

Noun

cuneiform 2

First Known Use

Adjective

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

Adjective

probably from French cunéiforme, from Middle French, from Latin cuneus + Middle French -iforme -iform

abrasion

noun

abra·sion

ə-ˈbrā-zhən

Definition

a wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction
irritation
an abraded area of the skin or mucous membrane

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Examples

//abrasion of rocks by wind and water
//walked away from the auto accident with only minor abrasions

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin abrāsiōn-, abrāsiō, from Latin abrādere "to scrape off" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at abrade

abrasion

noun

Synonyms

an area of skin roughened or worn away by harsh rubbing against another surface //walked away from the auto accident with only minor abrasions
Synonyms

bruise graze scrape
Related Words

bedsore gall

curiosity

noun

cu·ri·os·i·ty

ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈä-s(ə-)tē ˌkyər-

plural curiosities

Definition

desire to know:
inquisitive interest in others' concerns nosiness //The construction inside their house aroused the curiosity of their neighbors.
interest leading to inquiry //intellectual curiosity //Her natural curiosity led her to ask more questions.
archaic undue nicety or fastidiousness
one that arouses interest especially for uncommon or exotic characteristics //Tobacco was once regarded as a curiosity in Europe.
an unusual knickknack curio //The antique shop was full of curiosities.
a curious trait or aspect

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

//Her natural curiosity led her to ask more questions.
//The arrival of a construction crew at their house attracted the curiosity of their neighbors.
//The movie failed to satisfy her curiosity about the assassination.
//Tobacco was once a curiosity in Europe.
//The antique shop was full of curiosities.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

— see curious

curiosity

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

an eager desire to find out about things that are often none of one's business //our neighbor's curiosity about what we were doing last night was really offensive
Synonyms

curiousness inquisitiveness nosiness
Related Words

attentiveness concern interest regard wonderment
inquiry interrogation prying questioning
interference intrusiveness meddlesomeness obtrusiveness officiousness
eavesdropping rubbernecking
Near Antonyms

apathy disinterestedness disregard indifference unconcern
Antonyms

incuriosity incuriousness
something strange or unusual that is an object of interest //the museum's curiosities include items constructed entirely out of toothpicks
Synonyms

curio exotic objet d'art (also objet) oddity oddment rarity
Related Words

found object objet trouvé
curiosa ephemera virtu (or vertu)
marvel prodigy rara avis rare bird wonder
abnormality anomaly freak monster monstrosity
malformation mutant mutation
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest //an assortment of curiosities from around the world that the family picked up during various vacations
Synonyms

bauble bibelot curio doodad gaud gewgaw (also geegaw) gimcrack kickshaw knickknack (also nicknack) novelty ornamental tchotchke trinket
Related Words

bijouterie bric-a-brac gimcrackery trinketry trumpery virtu (or vertu)
bagatelle trifle
figurine objet d'art (also objet) ornament
keepsake memento souvenir
conversation piece
collectible (or collectable) collector's item
an odd or peculiar habit //Charles Dickens typically endowed his characters with an array of endearing curiosities
Synonyms

crotchet eccentricity erraticism idiosyncrasy individualism kink mannerism oddity peculiarity quiddity quip quirk
noun

Synonyms
- a person who cultivates the land and grows crops on it //encountered an indigenous people who were experienced cultivators of the soil as well as highly skilled craftsmen
  Synonyms
  
  agriculturist (or agriculturalist) agronomist farmer grower planter tiller
  Related Words
  
  farmhand field hand gleaner harvester plowman reaper
  workfolk (or workfolks)
  crofter [chiefly British] cropper gentleman farmer sharecropper subsistence farmer tenant farmer yeoman
  homesteader nester [West]
  granger
  rancher ranchero ranchman
  campesino

abomasum

noun

ab·oma·sum

ˌa-bō-ˈmā-səm

plural abomasa ˌa-bō-ˈmā-sə

Definition

the fourth compartment of the ruminant stomach that follows the omasum and has a true digestive function
— compare rumen, reticulum

Other Words

abomasal ˌa-bō-ˈmā-səl adjective

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology

borrowed from New Latin abomāsum, from ab- ab- + omāsum omasum

cuneiform

adjective

cu·ne·i·form

kyü-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə-

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

having the shape of a wedge
composed of or written in wedge-shaped characters //cuneiform syllabary

noun

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

a cuneiform part
specifically a cuneiform bone or cartilage
cuneiform writing

Illustration

Noun

cuneiform 2

First Known Use

Adjective

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

Adjective

probably from French cunéiforme, from Middle French, from Latin cuneus + Middle French -iforme -iform

abrasion

noun

abra·sion

ə-ˈbrā-zhən

Definition

a wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction
irritation
an abraded area of the skin or mucous membrane

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Examples

//abrasion of rocks by wind and water
//walked away from the auto accident with only minor abrasions

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin abrāsiōn-, abrāsiō, from Latin abrādere "to scrape off" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at abrade

abrasion

noun

Synonyms

an area of skin roughened or worn away by harsh rubbing against another surface //walked away from the auto accident with only minor abrasions
Synonyms

bruise graze scrape
Related Words

bedsore gall

curiosity

noun

cu·ri·os·i·ty

ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈä-s(ə-)tē ˌkyər-

plural curiosities

Definition

desire to know:
inquisitive interest in others' concerns nosiness //The construction inside their house aroused the curiosity of their neighbors.
interest leading to inquiry //intellectual curiosity //Her natural curiosity led her to ask more questions.
archaic undue nicety or fastidiousness
one that arouses interest especially for uncommon or exotic characteristics //Tobacco was once regarded as a curiosity in Europe.
an unusual knickknack curio //The antique shop was full of curiosities.
a curious trait or aspect

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

//Her natural curiosity led her to ask more questions.
//The arrival of a construction crew at their house attracted the curiosity of their neighbors.
//The movie failed to satisfy her curiosity about the assassination.
//Tobacco was once a curiosity in Europe.
//The antique shop was full of curiosities.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

— see curious

curiosity

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

an eager desire to find out about things that are often none of one's business //our neighbor's curiosity about what we were doing last night was really offensive
Synonyms

curiousness inquisitiveness nosiness
Related Words

attentiveness concern interest regard wonderment
inquiry interrogation prying questioning
interference intrusiveness meddlesomeness obtrusiveness officiousness
eavesdropping rubbernecking
Near Antonyms

apathy disinterestedness disregard indifference unconcern
Antonyms

incuriosity incuriousness
something strange or unusual that is an object of interest //the museum's curiosities include items constructed entirely out of toothpicks
Synonyms

curio exotic objet d'art (also objet) oddity oddment rarity
Related Words

found object objet trouvé
curiosa ephemera virtu (or vertu)
marvel prodigy rara avis rare bird wonder
abnormality anomaly freak monster monstrosity
malformation mutant mutation
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest //an assortment of curiosities from around the world that the family picked up during various vacations
Synonyms

bauble bibelot curio doodad gaud gewgaw (also geegaw) gimcrack kickshaw knickknack (also nicknack) novelty ornamental tchotchke trinket
Related Words

bijouterie bric-a-brac gimcrackery trinketry trumpery virtu (or vertu)
bagatelle trifle
figurine objet d'art (also objet) ornament
keepsake memento souvenir
conversation piece
collectible (or collectable) collector's item
an odd or peculiar habit //Charles Dickens typically endowed his characters with an array of endearing curiosities
Synonyms

crotchet eccentricity erraticism idiosyncrasy individualism kink mannerism oddity peculiarity quiddity quip quirk
noun

Synonyms
- a person who cultivates the land and grows crops on it //encountered an indigenous people who were experienced cultivators of the soil as well as highly skilled craftsmen
  Synonyms
  
  agriculturist (or agriculturalist) agronomist farmer grower planter tiller
  Related Words
  
  farmhand field hand gleaner harvester plowman reaper
  workfolk (or workfolks)
  crofter [chiefly British] cropper gentleman farmer sharecropper subsistence farmer tenant farmer yeoman
  homesteader nester [West]
  granger
  rancher ranchero ranchman
  campesino

abomasum

noun

ab·oma·sum

ˌa-bō-ˈmā-səm

plural abomasa ˌa-bō-ˈmā-sə

Definition

the fourth compartment of the ruminant stomach that follows the omasum and has a true digestive function
— compare rumen, reticulum

Other Words

abomasal ˌa-bō-ˈmā-səl adjective

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology

borrowed from New Latin abomāsum, from ab- ab- + omāsum omasum

cuneiform

adjective

cu·ne·i·form

kyü-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə-

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

having the shape of a wedge
composed of or written in wedge-shaped characters //cuneiform syllabary

noun

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

a cuneiform part
specifically a cuneiform bone or cartilage
cuneiform writing

Illustration

Noun

cuneiform 2

First Known Use

Adjective

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

Adjective

probably from French cunéiforme, from Middle French, from Latin cuneus + Middle French -iforme -iform

abrasion

noun

abra·sion

ə-ˈbrā-zhən

Definition

a wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction
irritation
an abraded area of the skin or mucous membrane

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Examples

//abrasion of rocks by wind and water
//walked away from the auto accident with only minor abrasions

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin abrāsiōn-, abrāsiō, from Latin abrādere "to scrape off" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at abrade

abrasion

noun

Synonyms

an area of skin roughened or worn away by harsh rubbing against another surface //walked away from the auto accident with only minor abrasions
Synonyms

bruise graze scrape
Related Words

bedsore gall

curiosity

noun

cu·ri·os·i·ty

ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈä-s(ə-)tē ˌkyər-

plural curiosities

Definition

desire to know:
inquisitive interest in others' concerns nosiness //The construction inside their house aroused the curiosity of their neighbors.
interest leading to inquiry //intellectual curiosity //Her natural curiosity led her to ask more questions.
archaic undue nicety or fastidiousness
one that arouses interest especially for uncommon or exotic characteristics //Tobacco was once regarded as a curiosity in Europe.
an unusual knickknack curio //The antique shop was full of curiosities.
a curious trait or aspect

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

//Her natural curiosity led her to ask more questions.
//The arrival of a construction crew at their house attracted the curiosity of their neighbors.
//The movie failed to satisfy her curiosity about the assassination.
//Tobacco was once a curiosity in Europe.
//The antique shop was full of curiosities.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

— see curious

curiosity

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

an eager desire to find out about things that are often none of one's business //our neighbor's curiosity about what we were doing last night was really offensive
Synonyms

curiousness inquisitiveness nosiness
Related Words

attentiveness concern interest regard wonderment
inquiry interrogation prying questioning
interference intrusiveness meddlesomeness obtrusiveness officiousness
eavesdropping rubbernecking
Near Antonyms

apathy disinterestedness disregard indifference unconcern
Antonyms

incuriosity incuriousness
something strange or unusual that is an object of interest //the museum's curiosities include items constructed entirely out of toothpicks
Synonyms

curio exotic objet d'art (also objet) oddity oddment rarity
Related Words

found object objet trouvé
curiosa ephemera virtu (or vertu)
marvel prodigy rara avis rare bird wonder
abnormality anomaly freak monster monstrosity
malformation mutant mutation
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest //an assortment of curiosities from around the world that the family picked up during various vacations
Synonyms

bauble bibelot curio doodad gaud gewgaw (also geegaw) gimcrack kickshaw knickknack (also nicknack) novelty ornamental tchotchke trinket
Related Words

bijouterie bric-a-brac gimcrackery trinketry trumpery virtu (or vertu)
bagatelle trifle
figurine objet d'art (also objet) ornament
keepsake memento souvenir
conversation piece
collectible (or collectable) collector's item
an odd or peculiar habit //Charles Dickens typically endowed his characters with an array of endearing curiosities
Synonyms

crotchet eccentricity erraticism idiosyncrasy individualism kink mannerism oddity peculiarity quiddity quip quirk
noun

Synonyms
- a person who cultivates the land and grows crops on it //encountered an indigenous people who were experienced cultivators of the soil as well as highly skilled craftsmen
  Synonyms
  
  agriculturist (or agriculturalist) agronomist farmer grower planter tiller
  Related Words
  
  farmhand field hand gleaner harvester plowman reaper
  workfolk (or workfolks)
  crofter [chiefly British] cropper gentleman farmer sharecropper subsistence farmer tenant farmer yeoman
  homesteader nester [West]
  granger
  rancher ranchero ranchman
  campesino

abomasum

noun

ab·oma·sum

ˌa-bō-ˈmā-səm

plural abomasa ˌa-bō-ˈmā-sə

Definition

the fourth compartment of the ruminant stomach that follows the omasum and has a true digestive function
— compare rumen, reticulum

Other Words

abomasal ˌa-bō-ˈmā-səl adjective

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology

borrowed from New Latin abomāsum, from ab- ab- + omāsum omasum

cuneiform

adjective

cu·ne·i·form

kyü-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə-

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

having the shape of a wedge
composed of or written in wedge-shaped characters //cuneiform syllabary

noun

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

a cuneiform part
specifically a cuneiform bone or cartilage
cuneiform writing

Illustration

Noun

cuneiform 2

First Known Use

Adjective

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

Adjective

probably from French cunéiforme, from Middle French, from Latin cuneus + Middle French -iforme -iform

abrasion

noun

abra·sion

ə-ˈbrā-zhən

Definition

a wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction
irritation
an abraded area of the skin or mucous membrane

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Examples

//abrasion of rocks by wind and water
//walked away from the auto accident with only minor abrasions

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin abrāsiōn-, abrāsiō, from Latin abrādere "to scrape off" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at abrade

abrasion

noun

Synonyms

an area of skin roughened or worn away by harsh rubbing against another surface //walked away from the auto accident with only minor abrasions
Synonyms

bruise graze scrape
Related Words

bedsore gall

curiosity

noun

cu·ri·os·i·ty

ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈä-s(ə-)tē ˌkyər-

plural curiosities

Definition

desire to know:
inquisitive interest in others' concerns nosiness //The construction inside their house aroused the curiosity of their neighbors.
interest leading to inquiry //intellectual curiosity //Her natural curiosity led her to ask more questions.
archaic undue nicety or fastidiousness
one that arouses interest especially for uncommon or exotic characteristics //Tobacco was once regarded as a curiosity in Europe.
an unusual knickknack curio //The antique shop was full of curiosities.
a curious trait or aspect

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms