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penitent

pen·i·tent [ pénnitənt ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
feeling regret for sins: expressing or feeling regret or sorrow for having committed sins or misdeeds



noun  (plural pen·i·tents)
Definition:
 
1. somebody who feels regret: a sinner or wrongdoer who feels regret or sorrow for misdeeds

2. somebody doing penance: somebody who does a penance as directed by a priest or minister after confessing his or her sins

[14th century. Via French< Latin paenitent-, present participle of paenitere "regret"]

pen·i·tence noun
pen·i·tent·ly adverb
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