penitential

[pen-i-ten-shuh l] /ˌpɛn ɪˈtɛn ʃəl/

adjective

of, pertaining to, proceeding from, or expressive of penitence or repentance.

noun

a book or code of canons relating to penance, its imposition, etc.

Origin

1500-10; < Medieval Latin pēnitēntiālis, Late Latin paenitēntiālis. See penitent, -ial

Related forms

penitentially, adverb

unpenitential, adjective

unpenitentially, adverb

Examples from the web for penitential

And so the strict rule he imposed on himself was not a penitential act but a security measure.
She from that time led a penitential retired life, and dying fifteen years after, was buried near his relics.
The example of his conversion moved sixty gentlemen to devote themselves to an austere penitential life.
The penitential austerities which she practised, were such as seemed rather to suit a recluse than one who lived in a court.
In these dispositions he embraced the penitential and laborious state of a poor monk.
Pepita did not wish to retire to a convent, nor did she incline to a penitential life.

British Dictionary definitions for penitential

/ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃəl/

adjective

of, showing, or constituting penance

noun

(mainly RC Church) a book or compilation of instructions for confessors

a less common word for penitent (sense 2), penitent (sense 3)

Derived Forms

penitentially, adverb

Word Origin and History for penitential

adj.

c.1500, from Medieval Latin penitentialis, from Latin paenitentia "repentance" (see penitence).