Con-trĭ'tion, n.

(-trĭsh'un), n. [Lat. contritio, Fr. contrition, Pr. contricio, Sp. contricion, It. contrizione.]

1. The act of grinding or rubbing to powder; friction; grazing; rubbing. [Obs.] “Reducible into powder by contrition.” Browne. “To preserve their heads from contrition or bruise.” Bp. Taylor.
2. The state of being contrite; deep sorrow for sin; penitence.

Syn.—Repentance; penitence; humiliation; compunction; self-reproach; remorse.—CONTRITION, REPENTANCE. Contrition is a continuous state of grief and self-condemnation; repentance is an act in which, with sorrow for our sins, we renounce them. Contrition has all the pain of repentance, without the relief it affords. The contrition of Judas ended in remorse and suicide; that of Peter led to true repentance and a renewed consecration to his Master's service. My future days shall be one whole contrition. Dryden. Who by repentance is not satisfied, Is not of heaven nor earth; for these are pleased. By penitence the Eternal's wrath's appeased. Shak.