penitence Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun remorse for your past conduct
    repentance; penance.

WordNet

Pen"i*tence noun
Etymology
F. pénitence, L. paenitentia. See Penitent, and cf. Penance.
Definitions
  1. The quality or condition of being penitent; the disposition of a penitent; sorrow for sins or faults; repentance; contrition. "Penitence of his old guilt." Chaucer.
    Death is deferred, and penitenance has room To mitigate, if not reverse, the doom. Dryden.
    Syn. -- Repentance; contrition; compunction.

Webster 1913