intransitive verb
- to feel sorry or self-reproachful for what one has done or failed to do; be conscience-stricken or contrite: often with of
- to feel such regret or dissatisfaction over some past action, intention, etc. as to change one's mind about: often with of: to repent of one's generosity
- to feel so contrite over one's sins as to change, or decide to change, one's ways; be penitent
Origin:
ME repenten < OFr repentir < VL repoenitere < L re-, again + poenitere, for paenitere: see penitent