penitent Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (Roman Catholic Church) a person who repents for wrongdoing (a Roman Catholic may be admitted to penance under the direction of a confessor)
  2. adjective feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds
    repentant.

WordNet

Pen"i*tent adjective
Etymology
F. pénitent, L. paenitens, -entis, poenitens, p.pr. of paenitere, poenitere, to cause to repent, to repent; prob. akin to poena punishment. See Pain.
Definitions
  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.
    Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite. Milton.
    The pound he tamed, the penitent he cheered. Dryden.
  2. Doing penance. Obs. Shak.
Pen"i*tent noun
Definitions
  1. One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his transgressions.
  2. One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one undergoing penance.
  3. One under the direction of a confessor. ✍ Penitents is an appellation given to certain fraternities in Roman Catholic countries, distinguished by their habit, and employed in charitable acts.

Webster 1913