penance

[ pen-uhns ]

noun

1. a punishment undergone in token of penitence for sin.
2. a penitential discipline imposed by church authority.
3. a sacrament, as in the Roman Catholic Church, consisting in a confession of sin, made with sorrow and with the intention of amendment, followed by the forgiveness of the sin.

penance

/ ˈpɛnəns /

noun

1. voluntary self-punishment to atone for a sin, crime, etc
2. a feeling of regret for one's wrongdoings
3. Christianity
   1. a punishment usually consisting of prayer, fasting, etc, undertaken voluntarily as an expression of penitence for sin
   2. a punishment of this kind imposed by church authority as a condition of absolution

verb

1. tr (of ecclesiastical authorities) to impose a penance upon (a sinner)

penance

1. Acts done to make up for sin. ( See confession and indulgence .)

Other Words From

• penance·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of penance¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English penaunce, from Anglo-French; Old French peneance, from Latin paenitentia penitence

Word History and Origins

Origin of penance¹

C13: via Old French from Latin paenitentia repentance; related to Latin poena penalty

Example Sentences

The temple, meanwhile, said it had done its own penance.

From BBC

In a previous email, Mr. Cook said that Mr. Simpson “died without penance.”

From New York Times

Cook, their attorney, said that Simpson “died without penance.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Goldmans have remained vocal about what they deem a miscarriage of justice in the decades since Simpson’s acquittal, with their attorney saying Thursday that Simpson “died without penance.”

From Seattle Times

An attorney for Ron Goldman’s family told the Associated Press on Thursday that Simpson “died without penance.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• absolution
• atonement
• contrition
• forgiveness
• penitence
• remorse
• repentance
• retribution