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   at·tri·tion

   /əˈtriSHən/

   noun

   • 1. the action or process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure: "the council is trying to wear down the opposition by attrition" Similar wearing downwearing awayweakeningdebilitationenfeeblingsappingattenuationharassmentharrying
   • ▪ the gradual reduction of a workforce by employees' leaving and not being replaced rather than by their being laid off: "with so few retirements since March, the year's attrition was insignificant"
   • ▪ wearing away by friction; abrasion: "the skull shows attrition of the edges of the teeth" Similar abrasionfrictionrubbingchafingcorrodingcorrosionerosioneating awaygrindingscrapingwearing awaywearingexcoriationdeteriorationdamagingrare:detrition
   • 2. (in scholastic theology) sorrow, but not contrition, for sin.

   Word Origin late Middle English (in attrition (sense 2)): from late Latin attritio(n-), from atterere ‘to rub’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. attritional adjective

   Scrabble Points: 9

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