Con*tri"tion (?), n. [F. contrition, L. contritio.]
1.
The act of grinding or ribbing to powder; attrition; friction; rubbing.
[Obs.]
The breaking of their parts into less parts by contrition.
Sir I. Newton.
2.
The state of being contrite; deep sorrow and repentance for sin, because sin is displeasing to God; humble penitence; through repentance.
My future days shall be one whole contrition.
Dryden.
Syn. -- repentance; penitence; humiliation; compunction; self-reproach; remorse. -- 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.
© Webster 1913.