a. 忏悔的, 悔悟的, 表示悔罪的

n. 忏悔的人, 悔罪者

Penitent \Pen"i*tent\, a. [F. p['e]nitent, L. paenitens, -entis,
poenitens, p. pr. of paenitere, poenitere, to cause to
repent, to repent; prob. akin to poena punishment. See
{Pain}.]
1. Feeling pain or sorrow on account of sins or offenses;
repentant; contrite; sincerely affected by a sense of
guilt, and resolved on amendment of life.

Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite. --Milton.

The pound he tamed, the penitent he cheered.
--Dryden.

2. Doing penance. [Obs.] --Shak.


Penitent \Pen"i*tent\, n.
1. One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his
transgressions.

2. One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one
undergoing penance.

3. One under the direction of a confessor.

Note: Penitents is an appellation given to certain
fraternities in Roman Catholic countries, distinguished
by their habit, and employed in charitable acts.