I. -tənt adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French penitent, from Latin paenitent-, paenitens, from present participle of paenitēre to cause regret, feel regret, perhaps from paene almost
Date: 14th century
: feeling or expressing humble or regretful pain or sorrow for sins or offenses : repentant
• pen·i·tent·ly adverb
II. noun
Date: 14th century
1. : a person who repents of sin
2. : a person under church censure but admitted to penance or reconciliation especially under the direction of a confessor