Definition of attrition

The word "attrition" has its roots in the 14th century Latin word "attritio," which means "wearing away" or "corrosion." In medieval times, attrition referred to the gradual wearing down of a surface, such as a stone or metal, due to friction or erosion. Over time, the term expanded to describe the wearing away of human bodies or minds through physical or mental labor, stress, or hardship. Eventually, the term came to be used figuratively to describe the slow and gradual decline of something, such as a resource or a system, often due to a lack of maintenance, neglect, or inadequate support. Today, attrition can refer to the gradual loss or depletion of something, whether it be physical, mental, or abstract.