01 n. The act of grinding or ribbing to powder; attrition; friction; rubbing.
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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.
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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.