Erosion

/ɪˈroʊ.ʒən/ noun

The process by which soil, rock, or land is gradually worn away by water, wind, ice, or human activity. It can also describe the slow loss or weakening of something like rights or support.

From Latin *erosionem* 'a gnawing away', from *erodere* 'to gnaw out'. It moved from a physical sense to figurative uses over time.

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