Penitente

[pen-i-ten-tey, -tee]

noun

a member of a religious order, chiefly in Spanish-American communities in New Mexico, known for their practice of self-flagellation, especially during Holy Week.

Origin of Penitente

1830–40, Americanism; < Spanish, singular of Penitentes, short for Los Hermanos Penitentes the penitent brothers

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for penitente

Historical Examples of penitente

These attitudes were materialized in the building of the penitente moradas.
The Penitente Moradas of Abiqui
Richard E. Ahlborn
Penitente membership comprises two strata distinguishable by title and activity.
The Penitente Moradas of Abiqui
Richard E. Ahlborn
Edmonson's study of 1950 has established the persistence of penitente activity in Hispano culture.
The Penitente Moradas of Abiqui
Richard E. Ahlborn
Penitente moradas share a common system of adobe construction with the religious and domestic structures of New Mexico.
The Penitente Moradas of Abiqui
Richard E. Ahlborn
Also known as La Doa Sebastiana, her image clearly marks a building as a penitente sanctuary.
The Penitente Moradas of Abiqui
Richard E. Ahlborn