ETYM French pénitent, Latin paenitens, -entis, poenitens, p. pr. of paenitere, poenitere, to cause to repent, to repent; prob. akin to poena punishment. Related to Pain.
Feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds; SYN. repentant.
1. Causing one to rue or lament; woeful; mournful; sorrowful.
2. Expressing sorrow.
Showing remorse; SYN. penitentially, repentantly.
In a rueful manner; SYN. contritely, remorsefully.