penitence

The story

1. Latin · derived frompaenitentia“repentance, penitence”
2. Old French · derived frompenitence
3. Middle English · inherited frompenitence
4. English todaypenitence

First attested circa 13th century, from Middle English penitence, from Old French penitence, from Latin paenitentia (“repentance, penitence”), from paenitēns (“penitent”), present active participle of paeniteō (“regret, repent”). Equivalent to penitent + -ence. Doublet of penance.

Words from the same roots