Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Penitent
Pen′i-tent
,Adj.
[F.
pénitent
, L. paenitens
, -entis
, poenitens
, p. pr. of paenitere
, poenitere
, to cause to repent, to repent; prob. akin to poena
punishment. See Pain
.] 1.
Feeling pain or sorrow on account of sins or offenses; repentant; contrite; sincerely affected by a sense of guilt, and resolved on amendment of life.
Be
penitent
, and for thy fault contrite. Milton.
The proud he tamed, the
penitent
he cheered. Dryden.
2.
Doing penance.
[Obs.]
Shak.
Pen′i-tent
,Noun.
1.
One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his transgressions.
2.
One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one undergoing penance.
3.
One under the direction of a confessor.
☞ Penitents is an appellation given to certain fraternities in Roman Catholic countries, distinguished by their habit, and employed in charitable acts.
Webster 1828 Edition
Penitent
PEN'ITENT
,Adj.
The proud he tam'd, the penitent he cheer'd.
PEN'ITENT
,Noun.
1.
One under church censure, but admitted to penance.2.
One under the direction of a confessor.Penitents is an appellation given to certain fraternities in catholic countries, distinguished by their habits and employed in charitable acts.
Order of penitents, a religious order established by one Bernard of Marseilles, about the year 1272, for the reception of reformed courtezans. The congregation of penitents at Paris, was founded with a similar view.