Penitential
[penɪ'tenʃ(ə)l] or [,pɛnɪ'tɛnʃl]
Definition
(adj.) showing or constituting penance; 'penitential tears'; 'wrote a penitential letter apologizing for her hasty words' .
Edited by Daniel--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Of or pertaining to penitence, or to penance; expressing penitence; of the nature of penance; as, the penitential book; penitential tears.
(n.) A book formerly used by priests hearing confessions, containing rules for the imposition of penances; -- called also penitential book.
Checker: Williams
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Wailing, mournful, dirgeful, sorrowful, contrite, penitent
ANT:Impenitent, hard-hearted, obdurate
Typed by Bush
Examples
- The penitential den once set apart for interviews with the House, was now the news-Exchange, and was filled to overflowing. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- He felt that he was performing a striking piece of scrupulosity in the judgment of his auditor, and a penitential act in the eyes of God. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
Checker: Wilbur