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penitente

penitente

9.9
A person who shows sorrow for sins by doing public religious acts such as carrying a cross
  • noun
  • /ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnteɪ/
  • US
translation icon : penitente
  • Many tourists watched as a penitente carried a wooden cross in the ceremony.

Examples

  • The penitente walked barefoot during the holy procession.

  • The penitentes are known for their acts of devotion and self-discipline.

  • During Holy Week, a penitente led the procession through the village streets.

  • Many penitentes participated in the annual ritual.

  • During Lent, many penitentes participate in solemn processions to show their devotion.

  • The community welcomed the penitentes who came to offer prayers and perform their rituals.

  • At the festival, the penitente brotherhood displayed their traditional garb in a beautiful ceremony.

Synonyms

penitent
vspenitente
5 8.5

A person who feels sorry for doing wrong and asks for forgiveness

performs visible acts of penance often within a religious brotherhood

Surface Forms

penitente singular
penitentes plural

Etymology

Penitente comes from Spanish and an old Latin root like penitent and penance, which mean 'to feel sorry' and 'acts to show you are sorry'. So a penitente is a person who performs acts of penance as part of a religious practice.