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penance definition

pen·ance (pen′əns)

noun

  1. R.C.Ch., Eastern Orthodox Ch.
    1. a sacrament involving the confession of sin, repentance, and acceptance of the satisfaction imposed, followed by absolution by a priest
    2. the satisfaction imposed, as the recital of certain prayers
  2. any act of reparation, self-punishment, etc. done in repentance for a sin or wrongdoing

Etymology: ME < OFr peneance < L paenitentia, poenitentia < paenitens: see penitent

transitive verb penanced -·anced, penancing -·anc·ing

Archaic to impose a penance on
penance Idioms

do penance

to do one or more acts of penance

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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