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abrasive

Flag: gbEnglishOxford New American Dictionary

abrasive /əˈbrāsiv, , əˈbreɪsɪv , əˈbrāziv, əˈbreɪzɪv /
adjective
1 (of a substance or material) capable of polishing or cleaning a hard surface by rubbing or grinding:
the wood should be rubbed down with fine abrasive paper
don't use abrasive kitchen cleaners.
tending to rub or graze the skin:
the trees were abrasive to the touch.
2 (of a person or manner) showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh:
her abrasive and arrogant personal style won her few friends.
noun a substance used for grinding, polishing, or cleaning a hard surface:
the refrigerator is easily damaged by abrasives.
– DERIVATIVES
abrasively /əˈbrāsivlē, , əˈbreɪsɪvli , əˈbrāzivlē, əˈbreɪzɪvli / adverb,abrasiveness /əˈbrāsivnəs, , əˈbreɪsɪvnəs , əˈbrāzivnəs, əˈbreɪzɪvnəs / noun
– ORIGIN mid 19th century (as a noun): from Latin abras- abraded, from the verb abradere (see abrade), + -ive.