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Penitente

[ pen-i-ten-tey, -tee ]
/ ˌpɛn ɪˈtɛn teɪ, -ti /
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noun
a member of a confraternity, chiefly in Spanish American communities in New Mexico, known for their practice of self-flagellation, especially during Holy Week.
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Origin of Penitente

First recorded in 1830–40; Americanism; from Spanish, literally, “penitent,” singular of Penitentes, short for Los Hermanos Penitentes “the penitent brothers”
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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