penitential
of, pertaining to, proceeding from, or expressive of penitence or repentance.
a penitent.
a book or code of canons relating to penance, its imposition, etc.
Origin of penitential
1Other words from penitential
- pen·i·ten·tial·ly, adverb
- un·pen·i·ten·tial, adjective
- un·pen·i·ten·tial·ly, adverb
Words Nearby penitential
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use penitential in a sentence
Very devoted, but a "wooden" woman, a "veritable penitential brush."
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z | Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois ChristopheCondemned to be strangled, he heard the sentence without a murmur, and went to his death singing the penitential psalms.
Belgium | George W. T. (George William Thomson) OmondI ought to add that he has tried to make reparation, and is apparently contrite to the limit of his penitential capacity.
The Letters of Ambrose Bierce | Ambrose BierceIt was her first openly penitential utterance in his presence, and her cheeks were faintly reddened.
Rhoda Fleming, Complete | George MeredithOn his death-bed the conqueror Henry V was listening to the priests repeating the penitential psalms.
The Life of Joan of Arc, Vol. 1 and 2 (of 2) | Anatole France
British Dictionary definitions for penitential
/ (ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃəl) /
of, showing, or constituting penance
mainly RC Church a book or compilation of instructions for confessors
a less common word for penitent (def. 2), penitent (def. 3)
Derived forms of penitential
- penitentially, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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