noun
- R.C.Ch., Eastern Orthodox Ch.
- a sacrament involving the confession of sin, repentance, and acceptance of the satisfaction imposed, followed by absolution by a priest
- the satisfaction imposed, as the recital of certain prayers
- any act of reparation, self-punishment, etc. done in repentance for a sin or wrongdoing
Origin:
ME < OFr peneance < L paenitentia, poenitentia < paenitens: see penitent
transitive verb penanced, penancing
Archaic to impose a penance on