Penance Definition

pĕnəns
penanced, penances, penancing
noun
penances
A sacrament involving the confession of sin, repentance, and acceptance of the satisfaction imposed, followed by absolution by a priest.
Webster's New World
The satisfaction imposed, as the recital of certain prayers.
Webster's New World
Any act of reparation, self-punishment, etc. done in repentance for a sin or wrongdoing.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
verb
To impose a penance on.
Webster's New World
idiom
do penance
  • to do one or more acts of penance
Webster's New World
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Other Word Forms of Penance

Noun

Singular:
penance
Plural:
penances

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Penance

  • 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

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Penance Sentence Examples

  • Jonny's penance for betraying his sister would last an eternity.

  • My penance must be served down here, where there is no light.

  • Penance might consist in fasting; it might consist in flagellation; it might consist in pilgrimage.

  • His penance is not yet served.

  • Richard had her put to public penance, but the people pitied her for her loveliness and womanly patience; her husband was dead, and now in poverty and disgrace she became a prisoner in London.

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Words Starting With

PPEPEN

Words Ending With

ECENCE

Unscrambles

penance

Words Starting With P and Ending With E

Starts With P & Ends With EStarts With PE & Ends With EStarts With P & Ends With CE

Word Length

7 Letter Words7 Letter Words Starting With P7 Letter Words Ending With E
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