/ əˈbreɪsɪv; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
an abrasive substance is rough and can be used to clean a surface or to make it smooth :
abrasive kitchen cleaners
2.
( of a person or their manner ) rude and unkind; acting in a way that may hurt other people's feelings
► abra·sive·ly adverb
► abra·sive·ness noun [ U ]
■ noun
a substance used for cleaning surfaces or for making them smooth
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 19th cent. (as a noun): from Latin abras- abraded, from the verb abradere , to scrape, + -ive .