Pen″i‐tent (?), a. [F. pénitent, L. paenitens, -entis, poenitens, p. pr. of paenitere, poenitere, to cause to repent, to repent; prob. akin to poena punishment. See Pain.] 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 proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered. Dryden.
2. Doing penance. Shak.