contrition

 
Pronunciation: /kənˈtrɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • the state of feeling remorseful and penitent: to show contrition for his crime he offered to do community service
  • (in the Roman Catholic Church) the repentance of past sins during or after confession: prayers of contrition

Origin:

Middle English: via Old French from late Latin contritio(n-), from contrit- 'ground down', from the verb conterere (see contrite)