a. [ F. pénitent, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Doing penance. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his transgressions. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one undergoing penance. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One under the direction of a confessor. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Penitents is an appellation given to certain fraternities in Roman Catholic countries, distinguished by their habit, and employed in charitable acts. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. pénitentiel. ] Of or pertaining to penitence, or to penance; expressing penitence; of the nature of penance; as, the penitential book; penitential tears. “Penitential stripes.” Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

Guilt that all the penitential fires of hereafter can not cleanse. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (R. C. Ch.) A book formerly used by priests hearing confessions, containing rules for the imposition of penances; -- called also penitential book. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a penitential manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Penitentiaries [ Cf. F. pénitencier. See Penitent. ] 1. One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who does penance. [ Obs. ] Hammond. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A small building in a monastery where penitents confessed. Shpiley. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. That part of a church to which penitents were admitted. Shipley. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (R. C. Ch.) (a) An office of the papal court which examines cases of conscience, confession, absolution from vows, etc., and delivers decisions, dispensations, etc. Its chief is a cardinal, called the Grand Penitentiary, appointed by the pope. (b) An officer in some dioceses since A. D. 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A house of correction, in which offenders are confined for punishment, discipline, and reformation, and in which they are generally compelled to labor; a prison; a jail. Colloquially often shortened to pen. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. pénitentiaire. ] 1. Relating to penance, or to the rules and measures of penance. “A penitentiary tax.” Abp. Bramhall. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Expressive of penitence; as, a penitentiary letter. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Used for punishment, discipline, and reformation. “Penitentiary houses.” Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office or condition of a penitentiary of the papal court. [ R. ] Wood. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a penitent manner. [ 1913 Webster ]