The process of gradually destroying something, or of wasting away.
((n.) Act of wasting away; a consuming; extinction.)
Origin:
Early 17th century. From classical Latin absūmptiōn-, absūmptiō action of using up or spending (2nd or 3rd cent. a.d.), in post-classical Latin also destruction, wasting away from absūmpt-, past participial stem of absūmere + -iō.