[pen.ance] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. ML poenitentia penitence] (14c) 1: an act of self-abasement, mortification, or devotion performed to show sorrow or repentance for sin
2: a sacramental rite that is practiced in Roman, Eastern, and some Anglican churches and that consists of private confession, absolution, and a penance directed by the confessor
3: something (as a hardship or penalty) resembling an act of penance (as in compensating for an offense)
[2]penance vt pen.anced ; pen.anc.ing (1600): to impose penance on