attritive
|at-trit-ive|
/əˈtrɪtɪv/
causing wearing away
Etymology
'attritive' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'attritus' (past participle of 'atterere'), where 'ad-' served as an intensifier and 'terere' meant 'to rub'.
'attritive' developed from Medieval Latin 'attritivus' and through later English formations related to 'attrition' and 'attrite' into the modern English adjective 'attritive'.
Initially, it meant 'causing rubbing or wearing away' in a literal sense, but over time it has also been used figuratively to mean 'causing gradual reduction or weakening'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
causing wear by rubbing or friction; abrasive.
The attritive action of the sand on the rope eventually frayed it.
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Adjective 2
causing gradual reduction, weakening, or depletion (often used figuratively, as in forces that wear down morale or numbers).
Prolonged attritive campaigning had an attritive effect on the opposition's support.
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Last updated: 2025/11/17 01:40