Pĕn'ance, n.
n. [O. Fr. penance, O. It. penanza, from O. Fr. pener, N. Fr. peiner, Fr., Sp., & Pg. penar, It. penare, to suffer pain. See PAIN.]
Sense 1. Repentance. [Obs.] Wycliffe.
Sense 2. The suffering, labor, or pain, which is self-inflicted or imposed by ecclesiastical authority as a punishment for faults, or as an expression of penitence, such as fasting, flagellation, wearing chains, &c.
Quoth he, “The man hath penance done, And penance more will do.” Coleridge.