Comminution

Com`mi*nu"tion (?), n. 1. The act of reducing to a fine powder or to small particles; pulverization; the state of being comminuted. Bentley.

2. (Surg.) Fracture (of a bone) into a number of pieces. Dunglison.

3. Gradual diminution by the removal of small particles at a time; a lessening; a wearing away.

Natural and necessary comminution of our lives.
Johnson.