Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Attrition
At-tri′tion
,Noun.
[L.
attritio
: cf. F. attrition
.] 1.
The act of rubbing together; friction; the act of wearing by friction, or by rubbing substances together; abrasion.
Effected by
attrition
of the inward stomach. Arbuthnot.
2.
The state of being worn.
Johnson.
3.
(Theol.)
Grief for sin arising only from fear of punishment or feelings of shame. See
Contrition
. Wallis.
Webster 1828 Edition
Attrition
ATTRI'TION
,Noun.
1.
Abrasion; the act of wearing by friction, or rubbing substances together.the change of aliment is effected by the attrition of the stomach.
2.
the state of being worn.3.
with divines, grief for sin arising from fear of punishment; the lowest degree of repentance.