penance

CEFRC1

/ˈpɛn.əns/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    An act done to show regret for wrongdoing.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    A sacrament in some Christian churches that involves penitence (remorse plus restitution via prayer).

Examples

  • If rain fails there will be neither charity nor penance.

  • Penance is one of the seven sacraments.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
2
Synonyms
5

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. Any instrument of self-punishment.

  2. A voluntary self-imposed punishment for a sinful act or wrongdoing. It may be intended to serve as reparation for the act.

verb

Extra meaning

  1. To impose penance; to punish.

More examples

In context

  • He is doing penance.

  • She seem'd, at once, some penanced lady elf, / Some demon mistress, or the demon's self.

  • Quoth he, "The man hath penance done, / And penance more will do."

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The monk performed a solemn blank to atone for his past sins.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English penaunce, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French peneance, from Latin paenitentia (“repentance, penitence”). Doublet of penitence.