CONTRITE, adjective [Latin , to break or bruise; to rub or wear. See Trite.] Literally, worn or bruised. Hence, broken-hearted for sin; deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God; humble; penitent; as a contrite sinner. A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalms 51:17.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI