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tribological

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /traɪˈbɒlədʒɪkəl/

KK: /traɪˈbɒlədʒɪkəl/

adjective
Definition

Relating to the study of friction, wear, and lubrication between surfaces in motion.


Example

The tribological properties of the materials were tested to improve their performance in machinery.


Conversation
Sloth A
Did you hear about the new research on tribological materials?
Sloth B
No, I haven't! What’s so special about them?
Sloth A
They can really improve the efficiency of machines.
Sloth B
That sounds interesting! I love when technology gets better.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
frictional
lubricative
wear-resistant
Antonyms
nonfrictional
dry
unlubricated
Root Explanation

Tribological → It is formed from "tribo-" (from Greek "tribos", meaning to rub) and "-logical" (from Greek "logia", meaning study or science). The word refers to the study of friction, wear, and lubrication, particularly in the context of surfaces in motion against each other.

Memory Tip

Think of 'rubbing' ('tribo-') as it relates to the 'study' ('-logical') of how surfaces interact, which is what tribological means.

Visually Confused Words
trilogical
trichological
storiological
tidological
etiological
terminological
soteriological
pteridological
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