English Explanatory Dictionary

penance

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A voluntary self-imposed punishment for a sinful act or wrongdoing. It may be intended to serve as reparation for the act.
  2. A sacrament in some Christian churches that involves penitence (remorse plus restitution via prayer).
  3. Any instrument of self-punishment.
  4. repentance
  5. pain; sorrow; suffering
verb
  1. To impose penance; to punish.

Pronunciation

/ˈpɛn.əns/ en-us-penance.ogg

Word forms

penance penances penancing penanced

Etymology

From Middle English penaunce, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French peneance, from Latin paenitentia (“repentance, penitence”). Doublet of penitence.

Synonyms

penitence atonement castigate penalize amerce chasten chastise come down on correct fix someone's wagon have someone's guts for garters have someone's head have someone's hide give it to someone give someone what for give what for gruel malavogue nail someone to the wall penance punish tan someone's hide tar out teach someone a lesson

Derived words

penanceless unpenanced
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