The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Contrition \Con*tri"tion\, n. [F. contrition, L. contritio.]
   1. The act of grinding or ribbing to powder; attrition;
      friction; rubbing. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            The breaking of their parts into less parts by
            contrition.                           --Sir I.
                                                  Newton.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The state of being contrite; deep sorrow and repentance
      for sin, because sin is displeasing to God; humble
      penitence; through repentance.
      [1913 Webster]

            My future days shall be one whole contrition.
                                                  --Dryden.

   Syn: repentance; penitence; humiliation; compunction;
        self-reproach; remorse.

   Usage: Contrition, Attrition, repentance. -- Contrition
          is deep sorrow and self-condemnation, with through
          repetance for sin because it is displeasing to God,
          and implies a feeling of love toward God. Attrition is
          sorrow for sin, or imperfect repentance produced by
          fear of punishment or a sense of the baseness of sin.
          Repentance is a penitent renunciation of, and turning
          from, sin; thorough repentance produces a new life.
          Repentance is often used as synonymous with
          contrition. See Compunction.
          [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

contrition
    n 1: sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation [syn:
         attrition, contrition, contriteness]