English to English

verb (v)

• cut away in small pieces(verb.contact)

  Synonym:
  whittle away, whittle down
  

  source: wordnet30
• diminish, as by friction(verb.contact)

  Synonym:
  wear off
  

  source: wordnet30
• become ground down or deteriorate(verb.change)

  Synonym:
  eat at, erode, gnaw, gnaw at
  

  source: wordnet30