4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 
 
  Be  penitent,  and  for  thy  fault  contrite.  --Milton. 
 
  The  pound  he  tamed,  the  penitent  he  cheered. 
  --Dryden. 
 
  2.  Doing  penance.  [Obs.]  --Shak. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Penitent  \Pen"i*tent\,  n. 
  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. 
 
  Note:  Penitents  is  an  appellation  given  to  certain 
  fraternities  in  Roman  Catholic  countries,  distinguished 
  by  their  habit,  and  employed  in  charitable  acts 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  penitent 
  adj  :  feeling  or  expressing  remorse  for  misdeeds  [syn:  {repentant}] 
  [ant:  {impenitent},  {impenitent}] 
  n  :  a  person  who  repents  for  wrongdoing  (a  Roman  Catholic  may  be 
  admitted  to  penance  under  the  direction  of  a  confessor) 
 
  From  THE  DEVIL'S  DICTIONARY  ((C)1911  Released  April  15  1993)  [devils]: 
 
  PENITENT,  adj  Undergoing  or  awaiting  punishment. 
 
 

browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z