attrition

Noun

• the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction

• a wearing down to weaken or destroy
  • a war of attrition
    

• sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation

• the wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice

• erosion by friction

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  contrition , contriteness , grinding , abrasion , detrition , corrasion