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Abrasion injury to banana (Musa sp.) fruits in a freshly harvested bunch.  The injury occured when fruits rubbed against each other.  These injuries rendered this fruit unmarketable.

Abrasion injury to coffee (Coffea arabica) leaves, which occurred during a period of very high winds.

Definition

Abrasion is the process of wearing down or rubbing away by means of friction; a scraped or worn area.

Etymology. 1656, from M.L. abrasionem "a scraping," noun of action from L. abrasus, pp. of abradere, from ab- "off" + radere "to scrape" (see raze). Abrasive in the fig. sense of "tending to provoke anger" is first recorded 1925.

See also: Alligator skin.

Discussion

Abrasion injury can cause cosmetic blemishes on some fruits, thereby reducing their grade or quality. During windy period, young leaves can rub against each other, creating injured leaf margins.