different between contrite vs compunctious

English

Etymology

From Old French contrit, from Latin contr?tus (literally “ground to pieces”), perfect passive participle of conter? (“grind, bruise”), from con- + ter? (“rub, wear away”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /k?n?t?a?t/, /?k?n?t?a?t/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /k?n?t?a?t/, /?k?n?t?a?t/
• Rhymes: -a?t

Adjective

contrite (comparative more contrite, superlative most contrite)

1. Sincerely penitent or feeling regret or sorrow, especially for one’s own actions.

   Synonyms: apologetic; see also Thesaurus:remorseful

   Antonym: attrite
2. (obsolete) Thoroughly bruised or broken.

Coordinate terms

• contrition

Derived terms

• contritely
• contriteness

Translations

Noun

contrite (plural contrites)

1. A contrite person; a penitent.

Anagrams

• cornetti, tectorin

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k??.t?it/

Adjective

contrite

1. feminine singular of contrit

Italian

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kon?tri.te/

Adjective

contrite

1. feminine plural of contrito

Anagrams

• cornetti

Latin

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /kon?tri?.te/, [k?n??t??i?t??]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /kon?tri.te/, [k?n??t??i?t??]

Participle

contr?te

1. vocative masculine singular of contr?tus

English

Alternative forms

• compunctuous

Adjective

compunctious (comparative more compunctious, superlative most compunctious)

1. Exhibiting compunctions, scruples, feelings of guilt.
   • 1606, Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 5.

     Come, you spirits

     That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here;

     And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full

     Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood,

     Stop up the access and passage to remorse,

     That no compunctious visitings of nature

     Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between

     The effect and it!