Penitent

//ˈpɛnɪtənt// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Feeling pain or sorrow on account of one's sins or offenses; feeling sincere guilt.

    "Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite."

  2. 2
    Doing penance.

    "[…] But we that know what ’tis to faſt and pray, / Are penitent for your default to day."

Adjective
  1. 1
    feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of their transgressions.
  2. 2
    (Roman Catholic Church) a person who repents for wrongdoing (a Roman Catholic may be admitted to penance under the direction of a confessor) wordnet
  3. 3
    One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one undergoing penance.

    "Wamba, who defeated the Saracens in an attempt upon Spain, was deprived of the crown, because he had been clothed in the habit of a penitent, while labouring under the influence of poison, administered by the ambitious Erviga!"

  4. 4
    One under the direction of a confessor.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin paenitēns, poenitēns (“penitent”), present participle of paeniteō, poeniteō (“I cause to repent; I regret, repent”). Doublet of penitente.

Etymology 2

From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin paenitēns, poenitēns (“penitent”), present participle of paeniteō, poeniteō (“I cause to repent; I regret, repent”). Doublet of penitente.

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: penitent