attrition

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A gradual reduction in number, especially of staff who leave and are not replaced.

   The company shrank its workforce through attrition rather than layoffs.

2. 2
   noun

   The process of wearing down an enemy or opponent over time.

   The two armies were locked in a long war of attrition.

15th century, from Middle English attricion, attricioun, from Middle French attricion, attrition and its etymon, Latin attrītiō (“a rubbing against”), from the verb attrītus, past participle of atterō (“to wear”), from ad- (“to, towards”) + terō (“to rub”). By surface analysis, attrit + -ion.

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