Penitent
Penitent , adjective
[French pénitent, Latin paenitens, -entis, poenitens, present participle 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.
The proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered.
2.
Doing penance. [Obsolete] — Shakespeare
Penitent , noun
1.
One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his transgressions.
2.
One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one undergoing penance.
3.
One under the direction of a confessor.
Penitents is an appellation given to certain fraternities in Roman Catholic countries, distinguished by their habit, and employed in charitable acts.