penance
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1pen·ance
noun \ˈpe-nən(t)s\Definition of PENANCE
1
: an act of self-abasement, mortification, or devotion performed to show sorrow or repentance for sin
2
: a sacramental rite that is practiced in Roman, Eastern, and some Anglican churches and that consists of private confession, absolution, and a penance directed by the confessor
3
: something (as a hardship or penalty) resembling an act of penance (as in compensating for an offense)
See Examples of PENANCE
- He did charitable work as a penance.
Origin of PENANCE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin poenitentia penitence
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Christian Religious Terms
2penance
transitive verbpen·ancedpen·anc·ing
Definition of PENANCE
: to impose penance on
First Known Use of PENANCE
circa 1600
Other Christian Religious Terms
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All Words Near: penance
Previous Word in the Dictionary: penalty stroke
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