friction
/ˈfrɪkʃ(ə)n
/noun [mass noun]
1The resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another: a lubrication system which reduces friction...
- Less friction also reduces the stress imposed on the material.
- Light rail uses up to 80 per cent less energy than buses as it encounters less surface friction.
- These substances reduce friction between the moving parts of equipment.
Synonyms
abrasion, abrading, rubbing, chafing, grating, rasping, scraping, excoriation, grinding, gnawing, eating away, wearing away/down;
resistance, drag, adhesion, traction, grip, purchase
rare attrition, fretting, detrition
1.1The action of one surface or object rubbing against another: the friction of braking...
- Divergence may result from friction with the Earth's surface.
- Shooting hard can cause the cue tip leather to loose friction with the cue ball, causing it to jump rather than spin.
- It didn't heat up from friction with the skin, and it protected against hard blows and blasts.
1.2Conflict or animosity caused by a clash of wills, temperaments, or opinions: a considerable amount of friction between father and son...
- One other troubling situation she confronted was friction between the cultural groups.
- In reading this account, we come to realise that the fights and friction between different groups in the hospital setting are universal and ubiquitous.
- The best content comes from creative friction between program makers and management.
Synonyms
discord, disharmony, disunity, strife, conflict, disagreement, dissension, dissent, opposition, variance, clashing, contention, dispute, disputation, arguing, argument, quarrelling, bickering, squabbling, wrangling, fighting, feuding, rivalry;
hostility, animosity, antipathy, enmity, antagonism, resentment, acrimony, bitterness, bad feeling, ill feeling, ill will, bad blood;
grudges, grievances
informal falling-out
rare jar, disaccord, discordance
Origin
Mid 16th century (denoting chafing or rubbing of the body or limbs, formerly much used in medical treatment): via French from Latin frictio(n-), from fricare 'to rub'.
fray from Late Middle English:
The spelling fray represents two distinct words. The verb meaning ‘to unravel’ comes from Latin fricare ‘to rub’, found also in friction (mid 16th century). A person eager to fight might ‘plunge into the fray’. This comes from the same root as the old legal term affray, Old French afrayer ‘to disturb, startle’. Someone frazzled (early 19th century) with exhaustion might not be surprised to hear that the word is probably linked with fray meaning ‘to unravel’.