Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
contrite - 6 dictionary results

con⋅trite

  [kuhn-trahyt, kon-trahyt]
Use contrite in a Sentence
–adjective
1. caused by or showing sincere remorse.
2. filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement; penitent: a contrite sinner.
Origin:
1300–50; ME contrit (< AF) < L contrītus worn down, crushed, ptp. of conterere. See con-, trite

Related forms:
con⋅trite⋅ly, adverb
con⋅trite⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
2. rueful, remorseful, repentant.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To contrite
con·trite   (kən-trīt', kŏn'trīt')   
adj.  
  1. Feeling regret and sorrow for one's sins or offenses; penitent.
  2. Arising from or expressing contrition: contrite words.

[Middle English contrit, from Latin contrītus, past participle of conterere, to crush : com-, com- + terere, to grind; see terə-1 in Indo-European roots.]
con·trite'ly adv., con·trite'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Contrite

Con"trite\ (?; 277), a. [L. contritus bruised, p. p. of contrere to grind, bruise; con- + terere to rub, grind: cf. F. contrit See Trite.]

1. Thoroughly bruised or broken. [Obs.]

2. Broken down with grief and penitence; deeply sorrowful for sin because it is displeasing to God; humbly and thoroughly penitent.

A contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. --Ps. li. 17.

Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite. --Milton.

Syn: Penitent; repentant; humble; sorrowful.

Contrite

Con"trite\, n. A contrite person. --Hooker.

Contrite

Con"trite\, v. In a contrite manner.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Language Translation for : contrite
Spanish: contrito,
German: zerknirscht,
Japanese: 深く悔いる
More Translations »

contrite 
c.1300 (contrition), from L. contritus, lit. "worn out, ground to pieces," pp. of L. conterere "to grind," from com- "together" + terere "to rub."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see contrite on Thesaurus | Reference
>