[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

penitent \pen"itent\, a. f. p'enitent, 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.
      1913 webster

            be penitent, and for thy fault contrite. --milton.
      1913 webster

            the proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered.
                                                  --dryden.
      1913 webster

   2. doing penance. obs. --shak.
      1913 webster
see also:
pain 

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

penitent \pen"itent\, n.
   1. one who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his
      transgressions.
      1913 webster

   2. one under church censure, but admitted to penance; one
      undergoing penance.
      1913 webster

   3. one under the direction of a confessor.
      1913 webster

   note: penitents is an appellation given to certain
         fraternities in roman catholic countries, distinguished
         by their habit, and employed in charitable acts.
         1913 webster

[3] : WordNet (r) 2.0

penitent
     adj : feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds syn: repentant
           ant: impenitent, impenitent
     n : roman catholic church a person who repents for wrongdoing
         a roman catholic may be admitted to penance under the
         direction of a confessor
see also:
repentant impenitent 

[4] : Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

24 moby thesaurus words for "penitent":
   magdalen, abject, apologetic, compunctious, confessor,
   conscience-stricken, contrite, grief-stricken, humbled, melted,
   penitential, penitentiary, prodigal returned, prodigal son,
   regretful, remorseful, repentant, rueful, sad, sheepish, softened,
   sorrowful, sorry, touched

[5] : THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993)

penitent, adj.  undergoing or awaiting punishment.

Penitent >> P Words
Penitent, definition of term: Penitent
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