attrition

The story

1. Latin · derived fromattrītiō“a rubbing against”
2. Middle French · derived fromattricion
3. Middle English · inherited fromattricion
4. English todayattrition

First attested in the 15th century, from Middle English attricion, attricioun, from Middle French attricion, attrition and its etymon, Latin attrītiō (“a rubbing against”), from the verb attrītus, past participle of atterō (“to wear”), from ad- (“to, towards”) + terō (“to rub”). By surface analysis, attrit + -ion.