Contrition is a word that represents the feeling of remorse or guilt for wrongdoing. It is pronounced as kənˈtrɪʃn, where the stress is on the second syllable. The initial sound "k" is followed by "ən", which is pronounced as a schwa sound. The "t" is articulated as a flap "r" sound in some dialects. The "ɪ" represents the "ih" vowel sound, and then the word ends with "ʃn," which indicates an "shun" sound. Overall, the phonetic transcription clarifies the spelling of the word contrition.
Contrition is a noun that refers to the feeling of remorse or regret for wrongdoings or offenses committed. It embodies a sincere sense of guilt and an earnest desire to make amends for one's actions. Derived from the Latin word "contritus" meaning "crushed" or "broken-hearted," contrition implies a deep emotional state characterized by profound remorse and a genuine intention to apologize or seek forgiveness.
The concept of contrition often arises in moral, ethical, or religious contexts, where individuals acknowledge their transgressions and reflect on the pain or harm caused to others, as well as to themselves. Contrition goes beyond mere remorse, as it involves a commitment to change one’s behavior and actively seek reconciliation or reparation. It is marked by a genuine desire to atone for past actions and a recognition of one's accountability.
Contrition may be expressed through various means, such as heartfelt apologies, acts of recompense, or making efforts to rectify the harm caused. It is an important element in personal growth and can lead to personal transformation, healing relationships, and influencing societal change. Recognizing and expressing contrition often paves the way for forgiveness, fostering empathy, understanding, and empathy between individuals or communities.
In summary, contrition entails a deep sense of remorse and a genuine desire to make amends for wrongdoing. It represents a sincere acknowledgment of guilt, the pursuit of forgiveness, and the intention of personal growth and reconciliation.
Deep sorrow; penitence; grief of heart for sin.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "contrition" has its origins in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word "contritio", which comes from the verb "conterere". "Conterere" means "to grind" or "to crush". Therefore, "contrition" originally referred to a sense of remorse or repentance that feels like being crushed or ground down. The word later entered Middle English, where it took on its current meaning of deep remorse or regret for past actions.