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Entry 5 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Penitent

/pĕn'-ĭt-ĭnt/ · Pen·i·tent · IPA /ˈpɛnɪtənt/
01 a. Feeling pain or sorrow on account of sins or offenses; repentant; contrite; sincerely affected by a sense of guilt, and resolved on amendme…
  1. 1.
    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.
    “Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite.” — Milton.
    “The proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered.” — Dryden.
  2. 2.
    Doing penance.[Obs.]
02 n. One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his transgressions.
  1. 1.
    One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his transgressions.
  2. 2.
    One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one undergoing penance.
  3. 3.
    One under the direction of a confessor.