ATTRITION


Meaning of ATTRITION in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ə-ˈtri-shən, a- ]

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 Latin]

: 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 -ˈtri-sh(ə-)n ə l adjective

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.