erodere

Erodere is an Italian verb meaning to erode, to wear away by natural agents or processes, and to cause gradual loss of material from a surface or object. The term is used in geology, geomorphology, engineering, and everyday language to describe physical wear as well as metaphorical erosion of trust, rights, or resources.

Origin and sense: from Latin erodere, meaning to gnaw away; the Italian form conserves the sense of gradual removal of material, often by water, wind, or ice. The noun erosion (erosione) is commonly used for the process; erodere is the corresponding verb.

Conjugation: as a regular -ere verb, erodere follows standard patterns: present—io erodo, tu erodi, lui erode, noi erodiamo, voi erodete, loro erodono; imperfect—erodevo, erodevi, erodeva, erodevamo, erodevate, erodevano; future—eroderò, eroderai, eroderà, eroderemo, eroderete, eroderanno; passato prossimo—ho eroso, hai eroso, ha eroso, abbiamo eroso, avete eroso, hanno eroso; gerund—erodendo; participle—eroso.

Usage notes: erodere can be transitive with a direct object; common collocations include erosione costiera, erosione del suolo, e erosione delle sponde. Figurative uses include erodere la fiducia, l'autorità o i diritti. In writing, it is often paired with agents like acqua, vento, ghiaccio, e gravità.

See also: erosione, erosivo, usura.