penitence

• pænitence (archaic)

First attested circa 13th century, from Middle English penitence, from Old French penitence, from Latin paenitentia (“repentance, penitence”), from paenitēns (“penitent”), present active participle of paeniteō (“regret, repent”). Equivalent to penitent +‎ -ence. Doublet of penance.

• enPR: pĕnʹĭ-təns

penitence (countable and uncountable, plural penitences)

1. The condition of being penitent; a feeling of regret or remorse for doing wrong or sinning.
   • 1887, W. S. Gilbert, Ruddigore, Act II:

     Away, Remorse! / Compunction, hence!. / Go, Moral Force! / Go, Penitence!

• compunction, contrition, remorse, repentance, penance, atonement

• See also Thesaurus:remorse

• paenitence
• poenitence

From Latin paenitentia.

penitence f (plural penitences)

1. (chiefly Christianity) penitence (repentance for one's sins)

• French: pénitence

• penitance
• penitaunce

Borrowed from Latin paenitentia.

penitence oblique singular, f (oblique plural penitences, nominative singular penitence, nominative plural penitences)

1. (chiefly Christianity) penitence (repentance for one's sins)

• → English: penitence
• Middle French: penitence
  • French: pénitence