adj. & n.
adj. regretting and wishing to atone for sins etc.; repentant.
n. 1 a repentant sinner. 2 a person doing penance under the direction of a confessor. 3 (in pl.) various RC orders associated for mutual discipline etc. penitence n. penitently adv.
[ ME f. OF f. L paenitens f. paenitere repent ]