penance
noun
[ ˈpɛnəns ]
• punishment inflicted on oneself as an outward expression of repentance for wrongdoing.
• "he had done public penance for those hasty words"
Similar:
atonement,
expiation,
self-punishment,
self-mortification,
self-abasement,
reparation,
amends,
penalty,
punishment,
atone,
make up,
redeem oneself,
pay the penalty,
pay,
recompense,
pay the price,
expiate,
redress,
compensate,
• a sacrament in which a member of the Church confesses sins to a priest and is given absolution.
penance
verb
• impose a penance on.
• "the Bishop penanced him severely for his conduct"
Origin:
Middle English: from Old French, from Latin paenitentia ‘repentance’, from the verb paenitere ‘be sorry’.
