penitence

English

Wikipedia

Alternative forms

• pænitence (archaic)

Etymology

First attested circa 13th century, from Middle English penitence, from Old French penitence, from Latin paenitentia (“repentance, penitence”), from paenitēns (“penitent”), present active participle of paeniteō (“regret, repent”).

Pronunciation

• enPR: pĕnĭ-təns

Noun

penitence (uncountable)

1. Condition of being penitent.
2. Feeling of regret or remorse for doing wrong or sinning.

Synonyms

• compunction, contrition, remorse, repentance
• See also Wikisaurus:remorse

Related terms

• penitent
• penitential
• penitentially
• penitentiary
• penitently

Translations

condition of being penitent

• American Sign Language: A@Chest-PalmBack CirclesVert
• Finnish: katumus (fi)

• French:

  Old French: penitence f

feeling of regret or remorse for doing wrong or sinning

• American Sign Language: A@Chest-PalmBack CirclesVert

• Finnish: katumus (fi)