Penitential: meaning, definitions and examples
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penitential
[ ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃəl ]
expressing regret
The term 'penitential' refers to an attitude or state that demonstrates remorse or sorrow for wrongdoing. This adjective is often used in religious or moral contexts, where individuals seek forgiveness for their sins or mistakes through various acts or rituals. Such penitential practices might include confession, penance, or prayer. In literature, a character may exhibit penitential feelings when grappling with their past actions, leading to personal growth or redemption.
Synonyms
contrite, remorseful, repentant, sorry.
Examples of usage
- He offered a penitential prayer after his mistakes.
- The penitential season of Lent encourages self-reflection.
- Her tone was penitential as she apologized to her friend.
Translations
Translations of the word "penitential" in other languages:
🇵🇹 penitencial
🇮🇳 प्रायश्चित्त
🇩🇪 Buß-
- Bußfertig
- Bußgedanken
🇮🇩 pertobatan
🇺🇦 покаянний
🇵🇱 pokutny
🇯🇵 悔い改めの
🇫🇷 pénitentiel
🇪🇸 penitencial
🇹🇷 tövbeye çağıran
🇰🇷 회개하는
🇸🇦 توبة
🇨🇿 pokání
🇸🇰 pokánie
🇨🇳 忏悔的
🇸🇮 kesanje
🇮🇸 bæn
🇰🇿 өкіну
🇬🇪 განწმენდილი
🇦🇿 təəssüf
🇲🇽 penitencial
Etymology
The word 'penitential' is derived from the Latin term 'penitentialis', which itself comes from 'penitentia', meaning 'repentance' or 'penitence'. The roots can be traced back to the verb 'paenitere', meaning 'to cause to repent', which combines 'paene', translating to 'almost', with 'tenere', meaning 'to hold'. The concept of penitence has been an important aspect of various religious traditions, particularly in Christianity, where it signifies a deep-seated feeling of regret for sin. This historical context has influenced the use of 'penitential' in both religious and secular language, often relating to actions taken to atone for sins or mistakes. Over time, the usage of the adjective has expanded beyond strictly religious connotations to encompass any expression of regret or sorrow in a broader sense.