See Also: penitence(dictionary)

penitence (iou)



penitence noun. ME.
[Old & mod. French penitence from Latin paenitentia, poen-, from paenitens, -tent-: see PENITENT, -ENCE.]
= PENANCE noun 3. Now rare. ME.
The fact or state of being penitent; contrition for sin committed, with desire and intention of amendment; repentance. L15.
penitency noun (now rare) (a) = PENITENCE 2; (b) rare = PENITENCE 1: L15.