Also, in a perhaps metaphorical sense, the act of dropping out, dying or generally ceasing to perform in a usually desired way. Attrition is used by actuarians to refer to people that drop out of an insurance program, by scholars of education to avoid saying "dropout", and by the military to talk politely about death.

see also: attrition rate.

At*tri"tion (?), n. [L. attritio: cf. F. attrition.]

1.

The act of rubbing together; friction; the act of wearing by friction, or by rubbing substances together; abrasion.

Effected by attrition of the inward stomach. Arbuthnot.

2.

The state of being worn.

Johnson.

3. Theol.

Grief for sin arising only from fear of punishment or feelings of shame. See Contrition.

Wallis.

© Webster 1913.