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Noun: detrition  di'tri-shun
  1. The wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water, wind or ice
    "The smooth pebbles on the beach were shaped by years of detrition action from the waves";
    - grinding, abrasion, attrition
     
  2. Erosion by friction
    "The constant flow of water caused detrition on the riverbed rocks";
    - abrasion, attrition, corrasion
     
  3. Effort expended in moving one object over another with pressure
    "Detrition of the rocks smoothed the riverbed";
    - friction, rubbing

Derived forms: detritions

Type of: degradation, eating away, effort, elbow grease [informal], eroding, erosion, exertion, friction, rubbing, sweat [informal], travail [literary], wearing, wearing away