penance

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) A voluntary self-imposed punishment for a sinful act or wrongdoing. It may be intended to serve as reparation for the act.
2. (countable, uncountable) A sacrament in some Christian churches that involves penitence (remorse plus restitution via prayer).
3. (countable, uncountable) Any instrument of self-punishment.
4. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) repentance
5. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) pain; sorrow; suffering

Verb

To impose penance; to punish.

Synonyms

repentance

penitence

self-mortification

atonement

expiation

reparation

tribute

libation

austerities

self-abasement

contrition

propitiation

offering

remorse

compensation

regret

punishment

satisfaction

mortification

sacrifice

pilgrimage

politeness

redress

refinement

reform

reformation

remediation

repent

retribution

suffering

sweetening

torture

upgrade

warmth

education

pain

self-castigation

bodily mortification

devout meditation

religious austerity

rite to the spirits of Brahmin

standard

legal punishment by the lash

amelioration

amends

betterment

castigation

chastisement

confess

confession

Translations

pénitence

penitencia

penitência

penitenza

penitència

Buße

penitentia

Askese

Kasteiung

boete

Reue

repentance

μετάνοια

boetedoening

Bußsakrament

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpɛn.əns/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: penaunce

In summary

From Middle English penaunce, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French peneance, from Latin paenitentia (“repentance, penitence”). Doublet of penitence.