CONTRITION

(See Attrition .) Romanists define contrition to be a sorrow for sin, with a sincere resolution of reforming. The word is derived from the Latin conterere , to break or bruise. The Psalmist says, “A broken and a contrite heart, O God , thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm li. 17.)— Conc. Trident. § 14, c. 4.