at·tri·tion

at·tri·tion
/əˈtrıʃən/ noun [noncount]
formal
1 chiefly US : a reduction in the number of employees or participants that occurs when people leave because they resign, retire, etc., and are not replaced

The staff has been thinned through attrition. [=the staff has become smaller because people have left]

Attrition is high among social workers because of the difficult work and poor pay.

a growing attrition rate = a growing rate of attrition

called also (Brit) natural wastage
2 : the act or process of weakening and gradually defeating an enemy through constant attacks and continued pressure over a long period of time
— used especially in the phrase war of attrition

They can only gain victory by fighting a long war of attrition.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • nu|tri´tion|al|ly — nu|tri|tion|al «noo TRIHSH uh nuhl, nyoo », adjective. having to do with nutrition: »the good nutritional value of milk. –nu|tri´tion|al|ly, adverb …   Useful english dictionary

  • nu|tri|tion|al — «noo TRIHSH uh nuhl, nyoo », adjective. having to do with nutrition: »the good nutritional value of milk. –nu|tri´tion|al|ly, adverb …   Useful english dictionary

  • at|tri|tion|al — «uh TRIHSH uh nuhl», adjective. having to do with or causing attrition: »The left handed Miss Stroud [a tennis player] can be awkward to beat, unless she is hustled out of her attritional rhythm (London Times) …   Useful english dictionary

  • at|tri|tion — «uh TRIHSH uhn», noun. 1. the action or process of rubbing away, or wearing or grinding down, by friction: »Pebbles become smooth by attrition. 2. Figurative. any gradual process of wearing down, especially to exhaust an opponent s energy or… …   Useful english dictionary

  • con|tri|tion — «kuhn TRIHSH uhn», noun. 1. sorrow for one s sins or guilt; being contrite; repentance. SYNONYM(S): penitence. 2. deep regret …   Useful english dictionary

  • de|tri|tion — «dih TRIHSH uhn», noun. the act of wearing away by rubbing …   Useful english dictionary

  • nu|tri|tion — «noo TRIHSH uhn, nyoo », noun. 1. the processes by which living things take in food and use it: »A balanced diet is important in nutrition. 2. that which nourishes; nourishment; food: »Milk, meat, fruits, and vegetables provide good nutrition. 3 …   Useful english dictionary

  • de|nu|tri|tion — «DEE noo TRIHSH uhn, nyoo », noun. lack of nutrition …   Useful english dictionary

  • in|nu|tri|tion — «IHN noo TRIHSH uhn, nyoo », noun. lack of nutrition; failure of nourishment …   Useful english dictionary

  • mal|nu|tri|tion — «MAL noo TRIHSH uhn, nyoo », noun. a poorly nourished condition. People suffer from malnutrition because of eating the wrong kinds of food as well as from lack of food …   Useful english dictionary

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