This is a discussion thread for the Daily Spanish Word (http://daily.tomisimo.org/) for October 28, 2008

desgaste - masculine noun (el) - wear, wear and tear, abrasion, fraying, erosion, waste, wearing down. Look up desgaste in the dictionary (http://www.tomisimo.org/dictionary/spanish_english/desgaste)

Si trabajas mucho y te desvelas, tu cuerpo sufre desgaste.
If you work a lot and don't sleep enough, your body wears down.

Also metaphorically, as talking about politicians.
El desgaste de los republicanos es evidente.
El desgaste de la union europea viene de la diversidad de sus integrantes.

correct!!!!! I sleep a lot and don't work a lot ^_^ It's the other way around lol :)

Also metaphorically, as talking about politicians.
El desgaste de los republicanos es evidente.
El desgaste de la union europea viene de la diversidad de sus integrantes.
What word would you use in English for desgaste in those two sentences?