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Webster's New World College Dictionary » penitent
penitent
penitent definition
peni·tent (pen′i tənt)
adjective
truly sorry for having sinned or done other wrong and willing to atone; contrite; repentant
Etymology: OFr < L paenitens, prp. of paenitere, to repent; prob. akin to paene, scarcely: see passion
noun
- a penitent person
- a person receiving or intending to receive the sacrament of penance
Related Forms:
- penitently pen′i·tently adverb
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