attrite

American  

[uh-trahyt] / əˈtraɪt /

adjective

1. Also attrited. worn by rubbing or attrition.

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verb (used with object)

attrited, attriting

1. to make smaller by attrition.

Usage

What does attrite mean? Attrite means to make smaller, wear down, or be lost due to attrition—a weakening or reduction. It can also be an adjective meaning “worn down” or “having been gradually reduced.”Attrite is far less common than its noun form, attrition, which can refer to a decrease in number; a gradual weakening; a wearing down by friction; or a reduction, as in a work force or similar group when people are lost for various reasons. Attrite is often used to refer to loss of employees or members of an organization.Example: We predict that 12 employees will attrite in the next four months.

Other Word Forms

• attriteness noun

Etymology

Origin of attrite

1615–25; < Latin attrītus rubbed against, rubbed away, worn away (past participle of atterere ), equivalent to at- at- + trī- (variant stem of terere to rub) + -tus past participle suffix

Example Sentences

“These stand-in forces attrite adversary forces, enable joint force access requirements, complicate targeting and consume adversary … resources, and prevent fait accompli scenarios,” Gen. Berger wrote.

From Washington Times

But in 2011, a team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania headed by Keith N. Hampton found evidence that “close social relations do not attrite with internet use and that internet users tend to have larger personal networks,” and that social isolation was actually lower in 2008 than in 1985.

From New York Times

By collision of two bodies, grind The air attrite to fire.

From Project Gutenberg

The summit of the arch and the water-worn pillars upon either side display "pot-holes" and other evidences of erosion, and in the bed of the current lie fragments of similarly attrite rocks which seem to indicate that at some period a series of arches spanned the entire space from mountain to mountain.

From Project Gutenberg

Worthiness of the Recipient from Divine Law.—The two Sacraments of the Dead, Baptism and Penance, were intended by Christ to be means of forgiveness to the repentant, and hence they require at least that the recipient believe himself attrite.

From Project Gutenberg