'Contrition' definitions:
Definition of 'contrition'
(from WordNet)
noun
Sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation [syn: attrition, contrition, contriteness]
Definition of 'Contrition'
From: GCIDE
- 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]
Synonyms of 'contrition'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- abject apology,
- acknowledgment,
- apologies,
- apology,
- attrition,
- ayenbite of inwit,
- bitterness,
- breast-beating,
- compunction,
- confession,
- contriteness,
- excuse,
- grief,
- mea culpa,
- penance,
- penitence,
- penitently,
- regret,
- regretfulness,
- regrets,
- regretting,
- remorse,
- remorse of conscience,
- remorsefulness,
- repentance,
- repining,
- rue,
- ruth,
- shame,
- shamefacedness,
- shamefastness,
- shamefulness,
- sorriness,
- sorrow,
- wistfulness