Having a rough or harsh texture that wears away surfaces through friction; or showing little concern for others' feelings.
From Latin 'abrasivus,' from 'abradere' meaning 'to scrape away,' composed of 'ab-' (away) and 'radere' (to scrape, shave). The figurative sense of harsh personality developed in the early 20th century from the physical meaning.
The metaphorical leap from physical scraping to personality traits reflects how we understand social interaction through tactile metaphors - an abrasive person 'rubs people the wrong way' and can 'wear down' relationships. Interestingly, controlled abrasion is essential in manufacturing, from polishing diamonds to smoothing wood, showing how destructive forces can create beauty.
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