Obs. rare. [ad. L. type *tersiōn-em, n. of action from tergēre (-ĕre), ters- to wipe: see -ION.] The action of wiping.
1676. Boyle, Mech. Origin of Electr., Wks. 1772, IV. 347. Another observation … about these bodies, is, that they require tersion as well as attrition;… weaker electricks require to be as well wiped as chafed.
1704. J. Harris, Lex. Techn., I. Tersion, is Wiping or Cleansing the outside of any Body.
[1878. Encycl. Brit., VIII. 3/2. He [Boyle] found also that heat and tersion (or the cleaning or wiping of any body) increased its susceptibility of [electric] excitation.]
