Wearing down or reducing something gradually through friction, use, or continuous stress (present participle of attrit).
From Latin atterere (ad- 'to' + terere 'to rub, wear away') + -ing suffix. 'Attrition' is the noun form describing this gradual wearing process.
Military strategists talk about 'attrition warfare'—grinding down an enemy's strength slowly rather than winning quickly; it's why 'wear and tear' is sometimes called 'attritional warfare.'
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