penitent
Noun · AdjectiveSynonyms:
repentant
WordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- (Roman Catholic Church) a person who repents for wrongdoing (a Roman Catholic may be admitted to penance under the direction of a confessor)
Adjective (1)
- feeling or expressing remorse for misdeedsSynonyms: repentant
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Penitent \Pen"i*tent\, n.
1.One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his transgressions. [1913 Webster]
2.One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one undergoing penance. [1913 Webster]
3.One under the direction of a confessor. [1913 Webster]
Note: Penitents is an appellation given to certain fraternities in Roman Catholic countries, distinguished by their habit, and employed in charitable acts. [1913 Webster]
Penitent \Pen"i*tent\, a. [F. p['e]nitent, 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. [1913 Webster]
Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
The proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]
2.Doing penance. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
The Devil's Dictionary
PENITENT, adj. Undergoing or awaiting punishment.