penitent
pronunciation
How to pronounce penitent in British English:
UK [ˈpenɪtənt]
How to pronounce penitent in American English:
US [ˈpɛnɪtənt]
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- Noun:
- (Roman Catholic Church) a person who repents for wrongdoing (a Roman Catholic may be admitted to penance under the direction of a confessor)
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- Adjective:
- feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds
Word Origin
- penitent (adj.)
- mid-14c., from Old French pénitent (14c.) and directly from Latin paenitentem (see penitence). As a noun, late 14c., from the adjective.
Example
- 1. Feeling regret and sorrow for one 's sins or offenses ; penitent .
- 2. I 'm talking to the woman , now , not the penitent .
- 3. A confessor in any way to betray a penitent .
- 4. The penitent hope their red-faced admissions of guilt will bring absolution , but can saying sorry really be enough to restore their credibility ?
- 5. A genuinely penitent company would shelve its bid unless and until its executives are exonerated of the charges of criminal activity .