attrition

About 1.63 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun Grinding down or wearing away by friction.
2. noun The wearing of teeth due to their grinding.
3. noun A gradual reduction in number.
4. noun A gradual, natural reduction in membership or personnel, as through injury, incapacitation, retirement, resignation, or death.
5. noun The loss of participants during an experiment.
6. noun The loss of a first or second language or a portion of that language.
7. noun Imperfect contrition or remorse.
8. verb To grind or wear down through friction.

   attritioned teeth; attritioned rock

Similar words

abrasion detrition grinding contrition contriteness corrasion friction leakage seepage depuration

Often followed by

of and rate in rates is was from against

Word family

attritional attritions