- Contrition
- Contrition Con*tri"tion, n. [F. contrition, L. contritio.]
1. The act of grinding or ribbing to powder; attrition;
friction; rubbing. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
The breaking of their parts into less parts by contrition. --Sir I. Newton. [1913 Webster]
2. The state of being contrite; deep sorrow and repentance for sin, because sin is displeasing to God; humble penitence; through repentance. [1913 Webster]
My future days shall be one whole contrition. --Dryden.
Syn: repentance; penitence; humiliation; compunction; self-reproach; remorse.
Usage: {Contrition}, {Attrition}, {repentance}. -- Contrition is deep sorrow and self-condemnation, with through repetance for sin because it is displeasing to God, and implies a feeling of love toward God. Attrition is sorrow for sin, or imperfect repentance produced by fear of punishment or a sense of the baseness of sin. Repentance is a penitent renunciation of, and turning from, sin; thorough repentance produces a new life. Repentance is often used as synonymous with contrition. See {Compunction}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.