depinning

D2E1P3I1N1N1I1N1G2

noun

The loss of a one-to-one relationship between the atoms of two surfaces as the surfaces move relative to each other.

OriginEnglish pinning ← Latin dē- ← Proto-Italic *dē →
Scrabble 13
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Meanings

noundepinning (countable and uncountable, plural depinnings)

plural depinnings

  1. countableuncountablenatural sciencesThe loss of a one-to-one relationship between the atoms of two surfaces as the surfaces move relative to each other.
verb
  1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of depin

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*de
  2. Proto-Indo-European*déh₁
  3. Proto-Italic*dē
  4. Latindē
  5. Latindē-
  6. Englishde-
  7. Englishpinning
  8. Englishdepinning

From de- + pinning.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

depinning. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/depinning

MLA

“depinning.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/depinning. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “depinning,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/depinning.

Source: depinning on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.