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detrition

noun

de·​tri·​tion di-ˈtri-shən How to pronounce detrition (audio)
: a wearing off or away

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin dētrītiōn-, dētrītiō, from Latin dētrī-, variant stem of dēterere "to wear away, impair" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at detritus

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of detrition was in 1674

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Detrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detrition. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

Medical Definition

detrition

noun
de·​tri·​tion di-ˈtrish-ən How to pronounce detrition (audio)
: a wearing off or away
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