n. | 1. | The act of rubbing together; friction; the act of wearing by friction, or by rubbing substances together; abrasion. |
2. | The state of being worn. | |
3. | (Theol.) Grief for sin arising only from fear of punishment or feelings of shame. See Contrition. |
Noun | 1. | attrition - erosion by friction |
2. | attrition - the wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice | |
3. | attrition - sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation Synonyms: contriteness, contrition | |
4. | attrition - a wearing down to weaken or destroy; "a war of attrition" | |
5. | attrition - the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction |