- The definition of penitent is feeling or showing remorse for something.
An example of penitent is a child who is sorry he misbehaved and who apologizes.
- In the Roman Catholic religion, a penitent is a person who confesses his sins to a priest and does penance.
An example of penitent is a person who confesses to a priest and then, as directed, says five Hail Marys.
penitent
adjective
truly sorry for having sinned or done other wrong and willing to atone; contrite; repentant
Origin of penitent
Old French ; from Classical Latin paenitens, present participle of paenitere, to repent; probably akin to paene, scarcely: see passionnoun
- a penitent person
- a person receiving or intending to receive the sacrament of penance
Related Forms:
- penitently
adverb
penitent
adjective
Feeling or expressing remorse for one's misdeeds or sins; contrite.
noun
- One who is penitent.
- A person performing penance under the direction of a confessor.
Origin of penitent
Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin pēnitēns, pēnitent-, from Latin paenitēns, present participle of paenitēre, to repent.Related Forms:
- pen′i·tent·ly
adverb
penitent
Adjective
(comparative more penitent, superlative most penitent)
Noun
(plural penitents)
Origin
From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin paenitens, poenitens (“penitent”), present participle of Latin paenitere, poenitere (“to cause to repent, intrans. repent, regret”).
