adj doing penance.
2. penitent ·noun one under the direction of a confessor.
3. penitent ·noun one who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his transgressions.
4. penitent ·noun one under church censure, but admitted to penance; one undergoing penance.
5. penitent ·adj 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.