Penance definition
An act of self-mortification or devotion performed voluntarily to show sorrow for a sin or other wrongdoing.
noun
A sacrament in some Christian churches that includes contrition, confession to a priest, acceptance of punishment, and absolution.
noun
To impose penance upon.
verb
(archaic) To impose a penance on.
verb
Advertisement
Any act of reparation, self-punishment, etc. done in repentance for a sin or wrongdoing.
noun
Penance is self-punishment done to try to right a wrong, or the receipt of absolution from sins from a priest by fulfilling some requirement.
An example of penance is when you publicly try to make up for your misdeeds.
An example of penance is when you confess to a priest and are forgiven.
An example of penance is when you say ten Hail Marys to earn forgiveness.
noun
A voluntary self-imposed punishment for a sinful act or wrongdoing. It may be intended to serve as reparation for the act.
noun
A sacrament involving the confession of sin, repentance, and acceptance of the satisfaction imposed, followed by absolution by a priest.
noun
The satisfaction imposed, as the recital of certain prayers.
noun
do penance
- to do one or more acts of penance
idiom
Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
penance
Plural:
penancesIdioms and Phrasal Verbs
do penance
Origin of penance
- Middle English from Old French from Latin paenitentia penitence from paenitēns paenitent- penitent penitent
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle English penaunce, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French peneance, from Latin paenitentia (“penitence").
From Wiktionary