at·tri·tion /əˈtrɪʃən/ n. | vt.I n. 1. 磨擦 attrition diplomacy 磨擦外交 2. 磨损 3. (尤指军事上的)削弱,消耗 a war of attrition 消耗战 combat attrition 战斗中的消耗 an attrition rate 损耗率 4. (由于死亡、退休等而带来的)自然减员 Most of the staff reduction will be achieved through attrition. 人员裁减主要将通过自然缩减来实现。 5. 【宗】(出于羞愧或怕受罚的)不彻底的忏悔 II vt. 耗减;使(职位、工人等)自然缩减(out) [<LL attrītiō a rubbing against something <L atterere to weaken <terere to rub¹]