[pen.i.tent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L paenitent-, paenitens, fr. prp. of paenitere to cause regret, feel regret, perh. fr. paene almost] (14c): feeling or expressing humble or regretful pain or sorrow for sins or offenses: repentant -- pen.i.tent.ly adv
[2]penitent n (14c) 1: a person who repents of sin
2: a person under church censure but admitted to penance or reconciliation esp. under the direction of a confessor