Pen"i*tent (?), a. [F. pÈnitent, L. paenitens, -entis, poenitens, p.
pr. of paenitere, poenitere, to cause to repent, to repent; prob. akin
to poena punishment. See Pain.] 1. Feeling pain or sorrow on account of
sins or offenses; repentant; contrite; sincerely affected by a sense of
guilt, and resolved on amendment of life.
Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite.
Milton.
The pound he tamed, the penitent he cheered.
Dryden.