First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1penitent
adjective pen·i·tent \-tənt\
: feeling or showing sorrow and regret because you have done something wrong
Full Definition of PENITENT
: feeling or expressing humble or regretful pain or sorrow for sins or offenses : repentant
— pen·i·tent·ly adverb
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Origin of PENITENT
Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French penitent, from Latin paenitent-, paenitens, from present participle of paenitēre to cause regret, feel regret, perhaps from paene almost
Related to PENITENT
- Synonyms
- apologetic, compunctious, contrite, regretful, remorseful, repentant, rueful, sorry
- Antonyms
- impenitent, remorseless, unapologetic, unrepentant
Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms
2penitent
noun
: a person who is sorry for doing something wrong and asks for forgiveness : a penitent person
Full Definition of PENITENT
1
: a person who repents of sin
2
: a person under church censure but admitted to penance or reconciliation especially under the direction of a confessor
See penitent defined for English-language learners
See penitent defined for kids
First Known Use of PENITENT
14th century
PENITENT Defined for Kids
1penitent
adjective pen·i·tent \ˈpe-nə-tənt\
Definition of PENITENT for Kids
: feeling or showing sadness for a person's own sins or faults
2penitent
noun
Definition of PENITENT for Kids
: a person who feels or shows sorrow for sins or faults
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