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Penance
//ˈpɛn.əns// noun, verb
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A voluntary self-imposed punishment for a sinful act or wrongdoing. It may be intended to serve as reparation for the act. countable, uncountable
"Quoth he, "The man hath penance done, / And penance more will do.""
- 2 a Catholic sacrament; repentance and confession and atonement and absolution wordnet
- 3 A sacrament in some Christian churches that involves penitence (remorse plus restitution via prayer). countable, uncountable
- 4 voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for some wrongdoing wordnet
- 5 Any instrument of self-punishment. countable, uncountable
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 remorse for your past conduct wordnet
- 7 repentance countable, obsolete, uncountable
- 8 pain; sorrow; suffering countable, obsolete, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To impose penance; to punish.
"She seem'd, at once, some penanced lady elf, / Some demon mistress, or the demon's self."
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English penaunce, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French peneance, from Latin paenitentia (“repentance, penitence”). Doublet of penitence.
Etymology 2
From Middle English penaunce, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French peneance, from Latin paenitentia (“repentance, penitence”). Doublet of penitence.
See also for "penance"
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