penance

Meanings

• Noun

  The act of making amends for a mistake or wrong; atonement.

  - "After committing a sin, one may perform penance by confessing and seeking forgiveness."
  - "The penance for stealing included community service and restitution."
  - "The monk spent his days in penance and prayer."

• Noun

  A period of time during which one undergoes a harsh or painful experience as a form of punishment or self-discipline.

  - "The athlete was given a penance of two weeks' training without rest."
  - "The novice was given a penance of fasting and prayer."
  - "The penance of solitude helped the artist to focus on his work."

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Pronunciation

1. /ˈpɛn.əns/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2453641"

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Synonyms

atonement , penitence

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with penance
amnesty , apology , anesthesia , penitentiary

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Variants

List of all variants of penance that leads to same result
penance , penances , penanced , penancing

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From Old French 'penance', from Latin 'poenitentia' meaning 'repentance'.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. Penance was a common practice in medieval Europe, particularly among monks and other religious orders.

2. The term 'penance' is also used in the context of criminal justice, particularly in the United States, to refer to the period of incarceration or probation following a conviction.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Confession: The act of acknowledging one's wrongdoing or sin to a higher power or authority.

2. Repentance: A feeling of regret and remorse for past actions, accompanied by a determination to make amends.

3. Atonement: The act of making amends for a wrong or injury, typically by undergoing a painful or difficult experience.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Penance has been a significant concept in various religions and philosophies, particularly in Christianity. It is often associated with confession, repentance, and seeking forgiveness for wrongdoing. Penance has been depicted in art, literature, and music, often as a symbol of redemption and spiritual growth.

How to Memorize "penance"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize the act of seeking forgiveness and making amends.
   - Imagine oneself confessing and seeking redemption.
   - Visualize the physical or emotional pain of penance as a reminder of the wrongdoing.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the concept of penance with the idea of redemption and forgiveness.
   - Think of penance as a way to make things right and seek absolution.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the mnemonic 'Pray, Atone, Now Cease' to remember the steps of penance: Pray for forgiveness, Atone by making amends, and Now Cease from repeating the wrong.

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