contrite etymology

Etymology

  • Latin: contritus, past participle of conterere "to rub together, crush, grind"
  • Proto-Indo-European: *kwer- "to grind, crush" (also the source of "quern" and "quarry")

Meaning

  • Full of sorrow or remorse for one's sins or wrongdoings
  • Deeply penitent
  • Attesting to or expressing deep sorrow

Origin

The word "contrite" originated in the Latin word "contritus," which meant "rubbed together, crushed, or ground." This term was often used in a figurative sense to describe the crushing of one's spirit or emotions due to sorrow or remorse.

Over time, the word came to be used specifically in a religious context to refer to the deep sorrow and repentance for sins that is an essential part of Christian doctrine. The contrite heart is seen as a precondition for forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

Examples of Use

  • "Confession can be a difficult step, but it is the first step on the road to redemption for those who are truly contrite."
  • "His voice was heavy with contrition as he apologized for his actions."
  • "The church has always taught that true repentance involves a sincere and contrite heart."

contrite relate terms

  • contrition

    Etymology and Meaning of Contrition Etymology Old French contricion contrit Latin c

  • contrite

    Etymology Latin contritus past participle of conterere to rub together crush grind

  • attorn

    Etymology The word attorn derives from the Anglo Norman French attorner meaning to

  • attorney

    Etymology The word attorney originates from the Middle English word attourne which

  • attrition

    Etymology The word attrition is derived from the Latin word attritio which means ru

  • contour

    Etymology French contour outline from Old French contor circuit from Late Latin c

  • contrite

    Etymology Latin contritus past participle of conterere to rub together crush grind

  • detour

    Etymology French détour from Old French destorner to turn away Vulgar Latin di

  • detriment

    Etymology From Middle French détriment from Latin dētrīmentum diminution loss d

  • diatribe

    Etymology Latin diatriba from Greek διατριβή diatribē Meaning A bitt

  • drill

    Etymology The word drill derives from the Middle English word dryllen meaning to pi

  • lithotripsy

    Etymology Lithotripsy comes from the Greek words Lithos λίθος meaning stone T

  • septentrion

    Etymology The word septentrion comes from the Latin word septentriō which in turn c

  • thrash

    Etymology The word thrash is thought to have originated from Old English threscan

  • thread

    Etymology The word thread traces its origins back to the Old English word thræd whi

  • thresh

    Etymology The word thresh derives from the Old English þerscan meaning to beat or

  • throw

    Etymology Old English thragan Proto Germanic þragjaną Proto Indo European d

  • threshold

    Etymology Old English therscwald doorsill threshold From Proto Germanic threskō

  • trauma

    Etymology The word trauma comes from the Greek word τραῦμα trauma which mea

  • trepan

    Etymology Origin Greek trypanon borer drill auger Suffix an forming nouns den

  • tribology

    Etymology Tribology is derived from the Greek words tribos τριβος meaning ru

  • tribulation

    Etymology From Late Latin tribulationem oppression trouble from Latin tribulum

  • trite

    Etymology and Origin The word trite comes from the Latin word tritus which means ru

  • triticale

    Etymology The word triticale is a portmanteau of the genus names Triticum wheat and S

  • triturate

    Etymology Latin trīturāre tritūrātum from trītus past participle of terere to

  • trout

    Trout Etymology and Origin The word trout is derived from the Middle English term tro

  • trypsin

    Etymology and Meaning of Trypsin Etymology Trypsin derives its name from two Greek word

  • tryptophan

    Etymology and Meaning The word tryptophan is derived from the Greek words trypto mea

  • turn

    Etymology The word turn comes from the Old English word turnian meaning to cause to

  • penitent

    Etymology The word penitent comes from the Latin word paenitens derived from paeni

  • sorry

    Etymology From Middle English sori from Old English sārig meaning sorrowful sa

  • dogma

    Etymology Greek dogma δόγμα meaning opinion belief decree Meaning A

  • excruciate

    Etymology From Latin excruciātus past participle of excruciō meaning to torture

  • dimension

    Etymology Latin dimensio dimensionis a measuring Proto Indo European dem to

  • Adam

    Etymology Derived from the Hebrew word adamah אדמה meaning earth or ground

  • sonnet

    Etymology The word sonnet derives from the Occitan word sonet or sonet meaning li

  • gender

    Etymology The word gender derives from the Latin word genus which means kind or t

  • ether

    Etymology The word ether comes from the Ancient Greek word aither αἰθήρ whi

  • secular

    Etymology The word secular derives from the Latin word saecularis which means perta