Friccional

Friccional is a term used in various contexts, primarily relating to the concept of friction or things that involve friction. In a literal sense, it describes something that causes or is characterized by friction. Friction itself is the force resisting the relative motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, and material elements sliding against each other. This resistance arises from the interactions between the molecules of the surfaces in contact.

The term can also be applied metaphorically. For instance, in economics or politics, "friccional" might refer to minor impediments or inefficiencies that slow down a process, even when the overall system is functioning correctly. This is distinct from systemic problems or major obstacles. Friccional unemployment, for example, is the temporary joblessness that occurs when people are transitioning between jobs. It is considered a natural and unavoidable part of a dynamic labor market.

In linguistics, "friccional" can describe a type of consonant sound produced by forcing air through a narrow channel, creating audible friction. Examples include the English sounds /f/, /v/, /s/, /z/, /ʃ/, /ʒ/, /θ/, and /ð/. These sounds are often referred to as fricatives. The degree of friction and the specific point of articulation distinguish these sounds. The specific usage of "friccional" depends heavily on the discipline in which it appears.