penance

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A voluntary self-imposed punishment for a sinful act or wrongdoing. It may be intended to serve as reparation for the act.

   Quoth he, "The man hath penance done, / And penance more will do.".

2. 2
   verb

   To impose penance; to punish.

   She seem'd, at once, some penanced lady elf, / Some demon mistress, or the demon's self.

3. 3
   noun

   a Catholic sacrament

4. 4
   noun

   voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for some wrongdoing

From Middle English penaunce, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French peneance, from Latin paenitentia (“repentance, penitence”). Doublet of penitence.

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