'attrite' originates from Latin, specifically from the past participle 'attritus' of the verb 'atterere', where 'ad-' meant 'to, toward' and 'terere' meant 'to rub'.

'attrite' passed into English via Old French (e.g. 'attriter') and Middle English (e.g. 'attriten'), eventually becoming the modern English 'attrite'.

Initially it referred to being rubbed or worn down by friction; over time it gained the extended sense 'to weaken or reduce by sustained pressure or gradual loss', which is common in modern usage.