tribo-

combining form

: friction

triboluminescence

Word History

Etymology

combining form from Greek trī́bō, trī́bein "to rub, chafe, grind, wear down," of uncertain origin

Note: The initial syllable trī- has inevitably drawn comparison with the homonymous element in Latin trīvī and trītus, respectively perfect and past participle of terere "to rub, grind, wear down" (see trite), though the source of the presumed extension -b- is unclear. R. Beekes (Etymological Dictionary of Greek, Leiden, 2010) suggests, but with a question mark, *trh₁-i-g^w-.