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Penitent

Naves Topical Index
Penitent

Webster's 1828 Dictionary
Penitent

PEN'ITENT, adjective [Latin poenitens.] Suffering pain or sorrow of heart on account of sins, crimes or offenses; contrite; sincerely affected by a sense of guilt and resolving on amendment of life.

The proud he tam'd, the penitent he cheer'd.

PEN'ITENT, noun One that repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his transgressions.

1. One under church censure, but admitted to penance.

2. One under the direction of a confessor.

Penitents is an appellation given to certain fraternities in catholic countries, distinguished by their habits and employed in charitable acts.

Order of penitents, a religious order established by one Bernard of Marseilles, about the year 1272, for the reception of reformed courtezans. The congregation of penitents at Paris, was founded with a similar view.


Webster's 1828 Dictionary
Penitential

PENITEN'TIAL, adjective Proceeding from or expressing penitence or contrition of heart; as penitential sorrow or tears.

PENITEN'TIAL, noun Among the Romanists, a book containing the rules which relate to penance and the reconciliation of penitents.


Webster's 1828 Dictionary
Penitentiary

PENITEN'TIARY, adjective Relating to penance, or to the rules and measures of penance.

PENITEN'TIARY, noun One that prescribes the rules and measures of penance.

1. A penitent; one that does penance.

2. At the court of Rome, an office in which are examined and delivered out the secret bulls, graces or dispensations relating to cases of conscience, confession, etc.

3. An officer in some cathedrals, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him. The pope has a grand penitentiary who is a cardinal and is chief of the other penitentiaries.

4. A house of correction in which offenders are confined for punishment and reformation, and compelled to labor; a workhouse. A state prison is a penitentiary


Webster's 1828 Dictionary
Penitently

PEN'ITENTLY, adverb With penitence; with repentance, sorrow or contrition for sin.