Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PEN'I-TENCE, or PEN'I-TEN-CY, n. [Fr. penitence, from L. pœnitentia, from pœniteo, from pœna, pain, punishment. See Pain.]

Repentance; pain; sorrow or grief of heart for sins or offenses; contrition. Real penitence springs from a conviction of guilt and ingratitude to God, and is followed by amendment of life.