attrition

The definition of attrition means wearing down or wasting away, or the natural decline in the number of people working in an organization.

(noun)

An example of attrition is a cliff face eroding due to rain and wind.
An example of attrition is one army wearing down another throughout the course of a war.

See attrition in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the act or process of wearing away or grinding down by friction
any gradual wearing or weakening, esp. to the point of exhaustion: a siege is a battle of attrition
loss of personnel in an organization in the normal course of events, as by retirement
Theol. repentance that is not perfect because not prompted solely by sorrow for having offended God

Origin: ME attricioun < L attritio < attritus, pp. of atterere, to wear, rub away < ad-, to + terere, to rub: see throw

See attrition in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A rubbing away or wearing down by friction.
A gradual diminution in number or strength because of constant stress.
A gradual, natural reduction in membership or personnel, as through retirement, resignation, or death.
Repentance for sin motivated by fear of punishment rather than by love of God.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English attricioun, regret, breaking

Origin: , from Old French attrition, abrasion

Origin: , from Late Latin attrītiō, attrītiōn-, act of rubbing against

Origin: , from Latin attrītus

Origin: , past participle of atterere, to rub against

Origin: : ad-, against; see ad-

Origin: + terere, to rub; see terə-¹ in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: