/ ɪˈrəʊd; NAmE ɪˈroʊd/ verb [ often passive ] erode (sth) (away)
1.
to gradually destroy the surface of sth through the action of wind, rain, etc.; to be gradually destroyed in this way
SYN wear away :
[ vn ]
The cliff face has been steadily eroded by the sea.
[ v ]
The rocks have eroded away over time.
2.
to gradually destroy sth or make it weaker over a period of time; to be destroyed or made weaker in this way :
[ vn ]
Her confidence has been slowly eroded by repeated failures.
Mortgage payments have been eroded (= decreased in value) by inflation.
[also v ]
► ero·sion / ɪˈrəʊʒn; NAmE ɪˈroʊʒn/ noun [ U ]:
the erosion of the coastline by the sea
soil erosion
the erosion of her confidence
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WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent.: from French éroder or Latin erodere , from e- (variant of ex- ) out, away + rodere gnaw.