n.
Pronunciation: ə - ' tri-sh ə n, a-
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin attrition-, attritio, from atterere to rub against, from ad- + terere to rub ― more at THROW
Date: 14th century
1 [Middle English attricioun, from Medieval Latin attrition-, attritio, from L] : sorrow for one's sins that arises from a motive other than that of the love of God
2 : the act of rubbing together : FRICTION also : the act of wearing or grinding down by friction
3 : the act of weakening or exhausting by constant harassment, abuse, or attack <a war of attrition >
4 : a reduction in numbers usually as a result of resignation, retirement, or death <a company with a high rate of attrition >
– at · tri · tion · al \ - ' tri-sh( ə -)n ə l \ adjective