Definition of "penitent" []

• Feeling or expressing remorse for one's misdeeds or sins. (adjective)
• One who is penitent. (noun)
• A person performing penance under the direction of a confessor. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The miniature of Marguerite is so beautiful because of her smile, why is she described as a penitent?"
• "The progress of the penitent is to be from negative reformation, "forsaking his way," and a farther step, "his thoughts," to positive repentance,"
• "And it becomes all of us to mourn, and to humble ourselves before him in penitent sorrow."