Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “contrition” come from?

Contrition comes from Old French contriciun, from Latin contritio (a grinding together), formed from the prefix con- and the suffix -tio denoting action or result.

contrition (English): The state of being contrite; sincere penitence or...

Definitions

  1. The state of being contrite; sincere penitence or...

Ancestry of “contrition”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Frenchcontriciun—
2Latincontritiogrief, contrition
3Latinconterō—
4Latincōn-—
5Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
6Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
7Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
8Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
9Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
10Middle Englishkyt—
11Germankitt—
12Old High Germankuti—
13Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
14Proto-Germanickweduzresin
15Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
16Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...
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