Meaning of attrition in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /əˈtrɪʃ(ə)n/

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  1. Noun

    attrition

    Etymology

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

    Definitions

    1. erosion by friction

    Derived terms

  2. 2. the wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice

    Derived terms

  3. 3. sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation
  4. 4. a wearing down to weaken or destroy

    Examples

    • « a war of attrition »
  5. 5. the act of rubbing together

    Examples

    • « wearing something down by friction »

Famous quotes

  • « It's a war of attrition. If you have patience and a modicum of faith in yourself your chances are not too bad. »
    Julie Bowen
  • « But I don't want massive layoffs of anyone - public or private. We are planning on shrinking government through attrition and reform, not through random pink slips. »
    Scott Walker
  • « We were succeeding. When you looked at specifics, this became a war of attrition. We were winning. »
    William Westmoreland

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