Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AT-TRI'TION, n.

1. Abrasion; the act of wearing by friction, or rubbing substances together. The change of aliment is effected by the attrition of the stomach. – Arbuthnot.
2. The state of being worn. – Johnson.
3. With divines, grief for sin arising from fear of punishment; the lowest degree of repentance. – Wallis.