n.1 a the act or process of gradually wearing out, esp. by friction. b abrasion.
2 Theol. sorrow for sin, falling short of contrition.
Phrases and idioms:
war of attrition a war in which one side wins by gradually wearing the other down with repeated attacks etc.
Derivatives:
attritional adj.
Etymology: ME f. LL attritio f. atterere attrit- rub