Decrease and Attrition

noun

• A change downward.
  • usage: "there was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided"; "there was a sharp drop-off in sales"
  • synonyms: lessening, drop-off
• A process of becoming smaller or shorter.
  • synonyms: decrement
• The amount by which something decreases.
  • synonyms: decrement
• The act of decreasing or reducing something.
  • synonyms: diminution, reduction, step-down

verb

• Decrease in size, extent, or range.
  • usage: "The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester"; "The cabin pressure fell dramatically"; "her weight fell to under a hundred pounds"; "his voice fell to a whisper"
  • synonyms: diminish, lessen, fall
• Make smaller.
  • usage: "He decreased his staff"
  • synonyms: lessen, minify

• (v.t.) To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases one's means.
• (v.) A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease of revenue or of strength.
• (n.) To grow less, -- opposed to increase; to be diminished gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc. or in strength, quality or excellence; as, they days decrease in length from June to December.
• (v.) The wane of the moon.

noun

• Erosion by friction.
  • synonyms: abrasion, corrasion, detrition
• The wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice.
  • synonyms: grinding, abrasion, detrition
• Sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation.
  • synonyms: contrition, contriteness
• A wearing down to weaken or destroy.
  • usage: "a war of attrition"
• The act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction. .

• (n.) The state of being worn.
• (n.) The act of rubbing together; friction; the act of wearing by friction or by rubbing substances together; abrasion.
• (n.) Grief for sin arising only from fear of punishment or feelings of shame. See Contrition.

ATTRITION is a reduction in numbers usually as a result of resignation, retirement, or death.