Deep regret and sadness for something wrong you've done, with a genuine desire to change and make amends.
From Old French 'contrition' and Latin 'contritio' (a wearing down), from 'conterere' (to grind down, to rub away). Originally meant physical grinding; evolved to mean crushing remorse or spiritual breaking down.
Medieval theologians specifically distinguished contrition (real remorse) from 'attrition' (just feeling sorry you got caught)—the idea was that true contrition actually transforms your soul. It's why religious traditions emphasize genuine repentance rather than fake apologies!
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