Middle English Dictionary Entry
pē̆nitent(e adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | pē̆nitent(e adj. Also pinitant. |
| Etymology | L paenitentem, oblique form of pr.ppl. of paenitēre, & OF. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Repentant of sins committed, contrite; (b) performing an official ecclesiastical penance; (c) sorry, regretful.
Associated quotations
a
- (1341) Doc.in HMC Rep.9 App.1102a : He may fynde in yow all lyke as the yonger sone penytente founde in his good fader.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.87 : For he shal be verray penitent, he shal first biwailen the synnes that he hath doon.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.97 : Seint Augustyn seith, but he be penitent for his olde synful lyf, he may nat bigynne the newe clene lyf.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)150 : Þouȝ as in special þei be not for þo synnes penytent, neiþer for hem aske as in special eny forȝeuenes, bi cause þei þynken not vpon the synnes..þou wolt caste peyne vpon hem for a while bi a purgatorie in þis world or in þe world to come.
- c1450(c1370) Chaucer ABC (Benson-Robinson)147 : Temple devout, ther God hath his woninge..To you my soule penitent I bringe.
- a1500(1465) Leversedge Vision (Add 34193)34 : Not only for me this example was sheuyd but for all synners, to take exsample at me to be pinytant of ther synne and to exchewe the occasion of the same.
- a1500 Rolle Mend.L.(Wor F.172)56 : To wepe and to make sorowe and waile for synne is here occupacioun that now bien newe conuerted and penitent in their bigynnyng.
b
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)413/1 : I hafe done a grete syn, & I will þis iij yere be penytent þerof.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)6.317 : Whiche, seynge men penitent [Trev.: men þat deden open penaunce; L publice pœnitentes]..purchasede of the pope that men of Ynglonde scholde not be so entretyde with owte theire awne realme.
c
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.461 : Titus..seide that he didde never that thynge in his lyfe whereof he was soory and penitente [L sibi pœnitendum foret].