penitential

[ pen-i-ten-shuhl ]

adjective

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

noun

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

penitential

/ ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. of, showing, or constituting penance

noun

1. RC Church a book or compilation of instructions for confessors
2. See penitent
   a less common word for penitent penitent

Derived Forms

• ˌpeniˈtentially, adverb

Other Words From

• peni·tential·ly adverb
• unpen·i·tential adjective
• unpen·i·tential·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of penitential¹

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

Example Sentences

Very devoted, but a "wooden" woman, a "veritable penitential brush."

From Project Gutenberg

Condemned to be strangled, he heard the sentence without a murmur, and went to his death singing the penitential psalms.

From Project Gutenberg

I ought to add that he has tried to make reparation, and is apparently contrite to the limit of his penitential capacity.

From Project Gutenberg

It was her first openly penitential utterance in his presence, and her cheeks were faintly reddened.

From Project Gutenberg

On his death-bed the conqueror Henry V was listening to the priests repeating the penitential psalms.

From Project Gutenberg