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attritional

 - 4 dictionary results

at⋅tri⋅tion

  [uh-trish-uhn]
Use attritional in a Sentence
–noun
1. a reduction or decrease in numbers, size, or strength: Our club has had a high rate of attrition because so many members have moved away.
2. a wearing down or weakening of resistance, esp. as a result of continuous pressure or harassment: The enemy surrounded the town and conducted a war of attrition.
3. a gradual reduction in work force without firing of personnel, as when workers resign or retire and are not replaced.
4. the act of rubbing against something; friction.
5. a wearing down or away by friction; abrasion.
6. Theology. imperfect contrition. See under contrition (def. 2).
Origin:
1325–75; ME < L attrītiōn- (s. of attrītiō) friction. See attrite, -ion

Related forms:
at⋅tri⋅tion⋅al, adjective
at⋅tri⋅tive  [uh-trahy-tiv] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To attritional
at·tri·tion   (ə-trĭsh'ən)   
n.  

  1. A rubbing away or wearing down by friction.

  2. A gradual diminution in number or strength because of constant stress.

  3. A gradual, natural reduction in membership or personnel, as through retirement, resignation, or death.

  4. Repentance for sin motivated by fear of punishment rather than by love of God.


[Middle English attricioun, regret, breaking, from Old French attrition, abrasion, from Late Latin attrītiō, attrītiōn-, act of rubbing against, from Latin attrītus, past participle of atterere, to rub against : ad-, against; see ad- + terere, to rub; see terə-1 in Indo-European roots.]
at·tri'tion·al adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: at·tri·tion
Pronunciation: &-'trish-&n
Function: noun
: the act of rubbing together; also : the act ofwearing or grinding down by friction <attrition of teeth> —at·tri·tion·al /-'trish-n&l, -'trish-&n-&l/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

attrition at·tri·tion (ə-trĭsh'ən)
n.
A wearing away by friction or rubbing, such as the loss of tooth structure caused by abrasive foods or grinding of the teeth.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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