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Repenting Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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repenting

[rษชหˆpษ›ntษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

expressing remorse

Repenting refers to the act of feeling or expressing sincere regret or remorse for one's wrongdoing or sins. It often implies a desire to change one's behavior and seek forgiveness. Repentance is an important concept in many religious and moral traditions.

Synonyms

atoning, contrite, regretting, remorseful.

Examples of usage

  • She is repenting for her past mistakes.
  • He spent years repenting for his actions.
  • The priest spoke about the importance of repenting in his sermon.
  • They were repenting after realizing the impact of their decisions.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word comes from the Latin 'paenitentia', meaning 'sorrow' or 'penance', which shows its deep-rooted links to feelings of regret.
  • In many ancient cultures, behaviors associated with repenting were often performed publicly, showing a community's role in personal change.
  • Religious texts from various faiths discuss the importance of repentance, emphasizing the transformative power it holds for individuals seeking forgiveness.

Psychology

  • Research shows that feeling genuine remorse can lead to personal growth and the motivation to change behavior.
  • Repentance can be a crucial step in healing relationships, as it involves acknowledging harm done to others.
  • Studies suggest that expressing remorse is linked to lower levels of anxiety and guilt, promoting mental well-being.

Literature

  • In Shakespeare's plays, themes of repentance often drive characters to seek redemption, reflecting the human struggle with guilt.
  • Dante Alighieri's 'Divine Comedy' portrays repenting as a journey to redemption, indicating its significance in moral and spiritual quests.
  • Many novels explore the concept of remorse as a path to character development, highlighting the importance of making amends.

Religious Context

  • In Christianity, repenting is seen as essential for forgiveness and salvation, based on teachings from the New Testament.
  • In Islam, sincere repentance ('Tawbah') is considered a way to seek forgiveness from God and is emphasized in many teachings.
  • Buddhism teaches that understanding one's wrong actions leads to repenting and ultimately achieving enlightenment.

Pop Culture

  • Many movies and songs tackle themes of repentance, often portraying protagonists who seek to atone for their past mistakes.
  • Reality shows often feature participants who regret their actions and demonstrate personal growth through their journeys.
  • Literature and films frequently use the redemption arc, where a character's path to forgiveness is central to the storyline.

Origin of 'repenting'

The word 'repent' originates from the Latin verb 'paenitere', which means 'to regret' or 'to be sorry'. This Latin term is derived from 'paenum', meaning 'pain' or 'penalty', indicating a sense of sorrow for past actions. It made its way into Middle English as 'repenten', which combined this semantic history with the prefix 're-', implying a repeated or intensive action of feeling regret. Over time, the focus shifted to the notion of changing one's behavior as a result of this remorse, especially within the context of religious practices. The idea of repentance has been a significant theme in many religious texts, particularly in Christianity, where it signifies the process of turning away from sin and seeking forgiveness from God, demonstrating the deep connection between repentance and spiritual transformation.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,780, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.