penance
UK/'penәns/US
GREA1
Definitions
n.
Voluntary self-punishment performed to show regret for wrongdoing.
（为表悔意的）自我惩罚，苦修，赎罪。
n.
A Christian sacrament involving confession and absolution.
（基督教的）告解圣事，忏悔礼。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Latin paenitentia (repentance), tied to poena. Penance is punishment you take on yourself to atone — the outward act of regret, where repentance is the inner feeling.
Root pun still carries 33 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.do penance赎罪，苦修
- 2.perform penance进行忏悔
- 3.as penance作为赎罪
Example Sentences
- 1.
The monk did penance by fasting for a week.
- 2.
He saw the long walk as a kind of penance.
- 3.
After confession, the priest assigned her a penance.
Easily Confused
penance vs repentance — Repentance is the inner feeling of regret; penance is the outward act done to make up for it. You feel repentance and you do penance.