Where does “attrition” come from?
Attrition comes from Latin attritio, the noun form of attritus, meaning worn down, from ad- prefixed to terere, ultimately traced through Proto-Indo-European roots meaning to rub or wear away.
attrition (English): Wearing or grinding down by friction; The gradual...
Definitions
- Wearing or grinding down by friction; The gradual...
Ancestry of “attrition”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Latin | attritio | The act of rubbing upon or against; attrition |
| 2 | Latin | -tiō | — |
| 3 | Latin | dissertātiō | — |
| 4 | Latin | dissertus | arranged, disposed; explained |
| 5 | Latin | disserere | second-person singular future passive indicative... |
| 6 | Latin | dis- | asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;... |
| 7 | Latin | calceus | shoe |
| 8 | Latin | calx | limestone; chalk; the finish line |
| 9 | Ancient Greek | χάλιξ | small stone, pebble; gravel, rubble |
Words derived from “attrition”