Forms: 4 contriciun, -trycyun, -tryssyoun, 4–5 -tricioun, 4–6 -tricion, (-trycyon, etc.), 5 -trityowne, -tretioune, 5– contrition. [a. OF. contriciun, now contrition, ad. L. contrītiōnem (in med.L. contrici-), n. of action f. conterĕre: see CONTRITE.]
† 1. lit. The action of rubbing things together, or against each other; grinding, pounding or bruising (so as to comminute or pulverize). Obs.
1594. Plat, Jewell-ho., Diuers Chim. Concl., 17. To discourse of a philosophicall contrition of oiles, thereby to defende them from putrifaction.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., II. i. 53. Triturable, and reduceable into powder, by contrition.
1678. R. R[ussell], Geber, I. vii. 15. After Contrition put it in a Calcining Furnace.
1684. trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., VII. 251. The shivering and great contrition of the bones, which remain here and there in the … flesh.
fig. 1382. Wyclif, Hos. xiii. 13. Forsothe he shal not stonde in contricioun of sonys. Ibid., 1 Macc. ii. 7. To se contricioun, or distruying, of my peple, and contricioun of the holy citee.
2. fig. The condition of being bruised in heart; sorrow or affliction of mind for some fault or injury done; spec. penitence for sin. Cf. ATTRITION.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 25090 (Cott.). We hope namli to haf pardun thoru baptem and contriciun. Ibid., 25966 (Cott.). Reuth and contricion al es an.
c. 1385. Chaucer, Pars. T., ¶ 55. Contricioun is þe verray sorwe þat a man receyueþ in his herte for his synnes.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 91. Contrycyon or sorrow for synne, contricio.
1530. Rastell, Bk. Purgat., III. xiii. In the tyme of thy repentaunce and contrycyon.
a. 1555. Bradford, Wks. (Parker Soc.), I. 46. This word [sorrow], just and full, is one of the differences between contrition and attrition.
a. 1638. Mede, Disc. Mark i. 15. Wks. 1672, I. 107. Those pangs of Contrition wherewith Repentance begins.
1714. Berkeley, Serm., 1 Tim. i. 2, Wks. IV. 605. A peculiar season of contrition and repentance.
1858. J. Martineau, Studies Chr., 169. The entire moral value of contrition belongs to it as the sign of inner change of character from prior evil to succeeding good.
