ATTRITION, a rubbing away; a term used in pathology and geology (Lat. attritio, from attero, "rub away"). Theologians have also distinguished "attrition" from "contrition" in the matter of sin, as an imperfect stage in the process of repentance; at trition being due to servile fear of the consequences of sin, con trition to filial fear of God and hatred of sin for His sake.