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contriteness

 - 3 dictionary results

con⋅trite

  [kuhn-trahyt, kon-trahyt]
Use contriteness 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 contriteness
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.
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Word Origin & History

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
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