Contrition
Full repentance for sin and a firm intention for amendment of life. Contrition is motivated by love of God, causing the penitent to regret sin as evidence of a turning away from God who loves us. Contrition has been distinguished from attrition since the twelfth century. Attrition has been referred to as imperfect contrition. Attrition is imperfect repentance for sin, possibly owing to fear of punishment or displeasure at the sin itself. See Attrition.
Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.