Definition of "attrition" []

• A rubbing away or wearing down by friction. (noun)
• A gradual diminution in number or strength because of constant stress. (noun)
• A gradual, natural reduction in membership or personnel, as through retirement, resignation, or death. (noun)
• Repentance for sin motivated by fear of punishment rather than by love of God. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Almost all of the attrition is among students with very low grades."
• "For instance; that after the long course of a most lewd and flagitious life, a man may be reconciled to God, and have his sins forgiven at the last gasp, upon confession of them to the priest, with that imperfect degree of contrition for them, which they call attrition, together with the absolution of the priest."
• "Leadership attrition is a major problem for any type of army."