Contrition
[kən'trɪʃ(ə)n]
Definition
(n.) The act of grinding or ribbing to powder; attrition; friction; rubbing.
(n.) The state of being contrite; deep sorrow and repentance for sin, because sin is displeasing to God; humble penitence; through repentance.
Inputed by Henrietta
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Penitence, compunction, remorse, repentance, sorrow, regret, self-condemnation, self-reproach, stings of conscience, sorrow for sin.
Typist: Malcolm
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See ATTRITION]
Typed by Evangeline
Examples
- Such little actions, slight in another man, were very noticeable in him; and his daughter received them as if they had been words of contrition. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- It was necessary for her mistress to comfort her--which she did, I must say, with a good deal of contrition--before she could be got beyond this. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Since the Pegler affair, this gentlewoman had covered her pity for Mr. Bounderby with a veil of quiet melancholy and contrition. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- The self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a guilty one. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- His face expressed contrition and indecision as he asked: 'Have I injured you so much, Lizzie? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Concession, contrition, never do any good with some people. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- And I said, Miss;' here Sissy fairly sobbed as confessing with extreme contrition to her greatest error; 'I said it was nothing. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- It was hammering now in the roar and he could not remember the act of contrition. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- He owned with contrition that his irregularities and his extravagance had already wasted a large part of his mother's little fortune. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
Editor: Rosanne