Hypertext Webster Gateway: "penitent"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Penitent \Pen"i*tent\, a. [F. p['e]nitent, L. paenitens, -entis,
poenitens, p. pr. of paenitere, poenitere, to cause to
repent, to repent; prob. akin to poena punishment. See
{Pain}.]
1. Feeling pain or sorrow on account of sins or offenses;
repentant; contrite; sincerely affected by a sense of
guilt, and resolved on amendment of life.
Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite. --Milton.
The pound he tamed, the penitent he cheered.
--Dryden.
2. Doing penance. [Obs.] --Shak.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Penitent \Pen"i*tent\, n.
1. One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his
transgressions.
2. One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one
undergoing penance.
3. One under the direction of a confessor.
Note: Penitents is an appellation given to certain
fraternities in Roman Catholic countries, distinguished
by their habit, and employed in charitable acts.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
penitent
adj : feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds [syn: {repentant}]
[ant: {impenitent}, {impenitent}]
n : a person who repents for wrongdoing (a Roman Catholic may be
admitted to penance under the direction of a confessor)
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