rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryexcoriationSkin abrasion
noun

excoriation

ik-skor-ee-AY-shun/ɪkˌskɔːriˈeɪʃn/

Scraping away or damaging the skin.

A shallow excoriation marks the woman's shin beside the rough concrete step.

Show the literal skin-scraping sense: a woman seated beside a rough concrete step examines a fresh, shallow abrasion on her shin, with superficial scraped skin clearly visible and no graphic injury.
Etymology
exLatinoff, out
+coriLatinhide, skin
+ationLatinaction or process

The pieces describe stripping skin off, the literal basis of excoriation as skin damage. The figurative meaning turns that flaying into severe verbal criticism.

In context

Lecturio Nursing16:43
it's really important that drying step because excess moisture here can contribute to excoriation and a lot of chafing for your client.
Bed Bath Skills Every Nurse Must Know 💡

More examples

  • The nurse cleans the excoriation on his forearm.
  • Small excoriations cover her shins after the hike through thorny brush.
  • Keeping fingernails short helps prevent excoriation when children scratch itchy skin.

Forms

excoriation · excoriations

excoriate verb — To scrape away or damage skin.

Similar words

abrasion
Emphasizes surface damage from rubbing against something rough.
scrape
An everyday term for a superficial injury from rough contact.