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The definition of penance
4 Definitions of: penance
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- noun, voluntary self-punishment to atone for a sin, crime, etc
- noun, a feeling of regret for one's wrongdoings
- noun, Christianity a) a punishment usually consisting of prayer, fasting, etc, undertaken voluntarily as an expression of penitence for sin b) a punishment of this kind imposed by church authority as a condition of absolution
- verb, (of ecclesiastical authorities) to impose a penance upon (a sinner)
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| Synonyms: | atonement, punishment, penalty, reparation, expiation |
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From Collins
©HarperCollins 2008. Collins English Dictionary definition of penance