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attrition

noun · /əˈtɹɪʃən/ · Level 3 · Advanced

What does attrition mean?

attrition (noun): a wearing down to weaken or destroy.

Definition: Princeton WordNet 3.1.

How do you pronounce attrition?

/əˈtɹɪʃən/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.

Where does attrition come from?

First attested in the 15th century, from Middle English attricion, attricioun.

Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Test yourself: do you know “attrition”?

Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.

What does “attrition” mean?

the mother of your father or mother

Not quite: that's what grandma means.

compatibility in opinion and action

Not quite: that's what harmony means.

an arrangement of parts or elements

Not quite: that's what configuration means.

a wearing down to weaken or destroy

Right! That's what “attrition” means.

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