attrition

“That attrition is a marker for how difficult and time-consuming the program is,” said Mara Rodriguez, the zoo’s development coordinator.

"It will be a battle of attrition. In years gone by they've been known for chucking the ball about but they've got some big physical lumps in there now, so we'll relish that."

The report, published in mid-October, said that in most parts of the country “more employers reported lowering head counts through layoffs and attrition.”

Islamists have proved in Syria and Afghanistan they can win a war of attrition where the existing regime ultimately collapses from within.

A battle of physical attrition and emotional fortitude.