attrition

== English == === Etymology === 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. === Pronunciation === (General American) IPA(key): /əˈtɹɪʃən/ (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /əˈtɹɪʃn̩/ Rhymes: -ɪʃən === Noun === attrition (countable and uncountable, plural attritions) Grinding down or wearing away by friction. Antonym: accretion (dentistry) The wearing of teeth due to their grinding. A gradual reduction in number. Antonym: accretion (human resources) A gradual, natural reduction in membership or personnel, as through injury, incapacitation, retirement, resignation, or death. Synonym: natural wastage (sciences) The loss of participants during an experiment. (linguistics) The loss of a first or second language or a portion of that language. (theology) Imperfect contrition or remorse. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== contrition ==== Translations ==== === Verb === attrition (third-person singular simple present attritions, present participle attritioning, simple past and past participle attritioned) (transitive) To grind or wear down through friction. Synonym: attrit (transitive) To reduce the number of (jobs or workers) by not hiring new employees to fill positions that become vacant (often with out). (intransitive) To undergo a reduction in number. ==== Translations ==== === References === === Anagrams === titration == French == === Etymology === From Latin attrītiōnem. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /a.tʁi.sjɔ̃/ === Noun === attrition f (plural attritions) attrition ==== Derived terms ==== guerre d'attrition === Further reading === “attrition”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012