Penance



GRE Barron

解释

GRE 红宝书

• n. 自我惩罚
• ［英］ n. 自我惩罚 ( an act of self-abatement)
• ［记］ pen ( 惩罚) ＋ance -> 惩罚 -> 自我惩罚

Webster Collegiate

I. noun

• Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin poenitentia penitence
• Date: 14th century
• 1. an act of self-abasement, mortification, or devotion performed to show sorrow or repentance for sin
• 2. a sacramental rite that is practiced in Roman, Eastern, and some Anglican churches and that consists of private confession, absolution, and a penance directed by the confessor
• 3. something (as a hardship or penalty) resembling an act of penance (as in compensating for an offense)

II. transitive verb (penanced; penancing)

• Date: circa 1600
• to impose penance on

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