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penance

/ˈpɛn.əns/

penancenoun

penances

Translations

покаяние

He sought penance for his past mistakes.

Он искал покаяния за свои прошлые ошибки.

епитимья

The priest gave him a penance to perform.

Священник дал ему епитимью для исполнения.

Additional translations

раскаяние

искупление

Definitions

A voluntary self-punishment inflicted as an outward expression of repentance for having done wrong.

He performed penance by fasting for a week to atone for his mistakes.

A religious observance or practice imposed by a priest on a penitent as a condition of absolution.

The priest assigned her a penance of saying ten Hail Marys.

(in the Roman Catholic Church) the sacrament of reconciliation in which a priest grants absolution to a penitent after confession of sins

Catholics are encouraged to receive penance regularly, especially during Lent.

Synonyms

penanceverb

penanced

Past Simple

penanced

Past Participle

penancing

Gerund

/ˈpɛn.əns/

Archaic/rare verb use meaning ‘to impose or perform penance’

Definitions

To impose a penance on (someone) as an act of discipline or repentance.

The abbot penanced the novice for breaking the monastery’s rules.

To perform an act of penance; to atone or repent.

She penanced in solitude, seeking forgiveness for her past deeds.

Synonyms

atone

expiate

repent

make amends

do penance

make restitution

confess

redeem

penanceadjective

Used attributively in combinations such as "penance service"; functions adjectivally meaning ‘relating to penance’.

Definitions

Relating to or intended as an act of penance; penitential.

The faithful attended a penance service during Lent.