Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Language: French
Origin: Latin frictio, from fricare 'to rub'

friction

 noun
     
Related topics: Physics
fric‧tion
1 [uncountable and countable] disagreement, angry feelings, or unfriendliness between people [= tension]
cause/create friction
Having my mother living with us causes friction at home.
friction between
the usual frictions between parents and their teenage children
friction with
His independent attitude was a constant source of friction with his boss.
2HP [uncountable] technical the natural force that prevents one surface from sliding easily over another surface:
Putting oil on both surfaces reduces friction.
3 [uncountable] when one surface rubs against another:
Check your rope frequently, as friction against the rock can wear it away.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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