weathering

noun

Etymology: From Middle English wederyng, equivalent to weather + -ing.

Weather, especially favourable or fair weather.
Mechanical or chemical breaking down of rocks in situ by weather or other causes.
“At that point the cuesta is 10 miles wide but the hilltops have an eastward descent of only about 62 feet. In its general eastward slope the surface of the cuesta is exactly that of one made by weathering and stream erosion, acting upon a gently-dipping limestone bed in a region never glaciated.”
“Furthermore, changes in continental weathering and riverine contributions to the oceans may also be linked with climate, and hydrothermal inputs vary with tectonism.”
A slight inclination given to an approximately horizontal surface to enable it to throw off water.
The action of weather on objects exposed to it.

Etymology: From Middle English wederyng, equivalent to weather + -ing.