Pen′i‐ten″tial (?), a. [Cf. F. pénitentiel.] Of or pertaining to penitence, or to penance; expressing penitence; of the nature of penance; as, the penitential book; penitential tears. “Penitential stripes.” Cowper.
Guilt that all the penitential fires of hereafter can not cleanse. Sir W. Scott.