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Webster 1913 Edition
Penitence
Pen′i-tence
,Noun.
The quality or condition of being penitent; the disposition of a penitent; sorrow for sins or faults; repentance; contrition.
“Penitence of his old guilt.” Chaucer.
Death is deferred, and
To mitigate, if not reverse, the doom.
penitenance
has roomTo mitigate, if not reverse, the doom.
Dryden.
Syn. – Repentance; contrition; compunction.
Webster 1828 Edition
Penitence
PEN'ITENCE
Definition 2025
penitence
penitence
See also: pénitence
English
Alternative forms
- pænitence (archaic)
Noun
penitence (countable and uncountable, plural penitences)
Synonyms
- compunction, contrition, remorse, repentance
- See also Wikisaurus:remorse
Related terms
Translations
condition of being penitent
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feeling of regret or remorse for doing wrong or sinning
Middle French
Alternative forms
Etymology
Noun
penitence f (plural penitences)
- (chiefly Christianity) penitence (repentance for one's sins)
Descendants
- French: pénitence
Old French
Alternative forms
Etymology
Borrowing from Latin paenitentia.
Noun
penitence f (oblique plural penitences, nominative singular penitence, nominative plural penitences)
- (chiefly Christianity) penitence (repentance for one's sins)