Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Penitence, -ens, n. Also: penetence, and Penitent n.² [ME. and e.m.E. penitence expiation (c 1200) contrition (1591), OF. pénitence (11th c. in Littré), L. pænitentia: cf. Pen(n)ance n.] a. Discipline or suffering voluntarily undergone as an outward expression of repentance. b. Repentance, the fact or state of being penitent.a. 1456 Hay I. 10/34.
Quhen he prechit baptesme and penitence Ib. II. 7/7.
For the … penitence that he had tane till him in that desert … he was worthin rycht lene, pale and wan 1461 Liber Plusc. 385.
Bot payn and penitence oure Lord mon plesb. 1490 Irland Mir. I. 116/24.
The auld patriarkis … had humyll and werray penitence Id. Asl. MS. I. 28/6.
The vij psalmes of penitence a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 600 (Asl.).
In tyme return to werray penitens 1573 St. A. Kirk S. 377.
The said Lucas, being of grite penetence as apperit, confessed the said accusation