contrite
adjective/kənˈtraɪt/, /ˈkɒntraɪt/
/kənˈtraɪt/
(formal)- very sorry for something bad that you have done
- Her expression was contrite.
- He looked so contrite that for a moment she nearly believed he really was sorry about what he had said.
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French contrit, from Latin contritus, past participle of conterere ‘grind down, wear away’, from con- ‘together’ + terere ‘rub’.Want to learn more?
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contrite