[at.tri.tion] n [L attrition-, attritio, fr. atterere to rub against, fr. ad- + terere to rub--more at throw] (14c) 1 [ME attricioun, fr. ML attrition-, attritio, fr. 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
4: a reduction in numbers usu. as a result of resignation, retirement, or death -- at.tri.tion.al adj