2 entries under this word
a. [Fr. pénitent, It. & Sp. penitente, Lat. pœnitens, p. pr. of pœnitere, to repent.] Suffering pain or sorrow of heart on account of sins, crimes, or offenses; repentant; contrite; sincerely affected by a sense of guilt, and resolving on amendment of life.
Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite. Milton.
The proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered. Dryden.
n. 1. One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his transgressions.
Sense 2. One under church censure, but admitted to penance. Stillingfleet.
Sense 3. One under the direction of a confessor.
☞ Penitents is an appellation given to certain fraternities in Roman Catholic countries, distinguished by their habits, and employed in charitable acts.
Order of Penitents, a religious order established by one Bernard, of Marseilles, about the year 1272, for the reception of reformed courtesans. The Congregation of Penitents, at Paris, was founded with a similar view.