Definition of: penance

(pen′əns) noun
1. Eccl. A sacramental rite involving contrition, confession to a priest, the acceptance of penalties, and absolution.
2. A feeling of sorrow for sin or fault, evinced by some outward act; repentance.
3. A penalty, suffering, mortification, or act of piety, imposed or voluntarily undertaken as an atonement or outward sign of repentance for sin.
4. The performance of a penitential act or acts.
—to do penance To perform an act or acts of penance; to repent of one's sins.
—v.t. pen·anced, pen·anc·ing To impose a penance upon. [<OF <L paenitentia. Doublet of PENITENCE.]