penitence
(ˈpɛnɪtəns)
Also 4–5 penytence, (7 pœni-), 5 penitaunce.
[a. OF. pénitence (11th c. in Littré), ad. L. pænitēntia (later pœni-, pēni-), n. of condition f. pænitēns: see penitent and -ence. OF. pénitence, as the learned form in ecclesiastical use, gradually displaced the popular peneance, penance.]
1. The undergoing of some discipline or exercise, voluntary or imposed by spiritual authority, in outward expression of repentance, and expiation of an offence; = penance n. 2. Now rare, and usually including sense 2.
| c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 61 Swo ure louerd ihesu crist fette adam ut of helle, þo þe hedde his penitence enden, and swo he wile us ec, þanne we hauen ure penitence fulended. a 1225 Ancr. R. 348 Efter schrifte, hit falleð to speken of Penitence, þet is dedbote. c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. ¶11 Penitence is the waymentynge of man that sorweth for his synne and pyneth hym self for he hath mysdoon. 1483 Caxton Cato I v, And whanne thow hast accomplysshed the penytence whiche the preest hath gyuen to the. a 1600 Hooker Eccl. Pol. vi. iv. §2 The course of discipline in former Ages reformed open Transgressors by putting them unto offices of open penitence: especially Confession. 1796 Burney Mem. Metastasio I. 206, I shall undertake this business, as a penitence for my sins. 1822 K. Digby Broadst. Hon. (1829) I. Godefridus 290 The ruins of Chantilly where the great Condé ended his days in retirement and the practice of penitence. 1882 ‘Ouida’ Maremma I. iii. 66 Its very priests were sent to Santa Tarsilla as a penitence. |
2. The fact or state of being penitent; contrition or sorrow for sin committed, with desire and intention of amendment; repentance. (The prevailing sense.)
| 1591 Shakes. Two Gent. v. iv. 81 By Penitence th' Eternalls wrath's appeas'd. a 1600 Hooker Eccl. Pol. vi. iii. §4 The question why David's confession should be held for effectual penitence, and not Saul's. 1658 Bramhall Schism i. viii, The degree of the delinquents penitence or impenitence. 1741–2 Gray Agrippina 179 In lieu of penitence and vain remorse. 1848 Dickens Dombey xxiii, Is this the way you show your penitence? 1881 Trollope Dr. Wortle's School i. ii, He was one who thought that there should be a place of penitence allowed to those who had clearly repented of their errors. |
3. Comb., as (sense 1) penitence-garment.
| 1882–3 Schaff Encycl. Relig. Knowl. III. 2471/1 [Waldenses] Travelling two and two together, clad in woollen penitence-garments. |