penance

• Nom désignant un acte de punition volontaire ou de souffrance imposée pour exprimer le regret d'une faute, ou le sacrement catholique comprenant la repentance, la confession et l'absolution.

A noun referring to an act of self-punishment or voluntary suffering undertaken to express remorse for wrongdoing, or a Catholic sacrament involving repentance, confession, and absolution.

1. Remorse for past conductB2formal

   A feeling of regret or sorrow for one's past actions, often leading to a desire to make amends.

   Remords pour une conduite passée

   • He performed acts of penance for his past mistakes.
   • She felt deep penance for the harm she had caused.
   • His penance was evident in his changed behavior.

   Synonymescompunctioncontritionpenitenceremorserepentancesorrow

2. Catholic sacramentB2formal

   A sacrament in the Catholic Church involving repentance, confession, atonement, and absolution by a priest.

   sacrement de pénitence

   • The priest administered the sacrament of penance.
   • She went to confession as part of her penance.
   • Penance is a key practice in the Catholic faith.

   Synonymesconfessionreconciliation

3. Voluntary self-punishmentB2formal

   A self-imposed punishment or hardship undertaken to atone for a wrongdoing.

   Pénitence volontaire

   • He undertook a period of fasting as penance for his lies.
   • She performed acts of penance by helping the poor.
   • His penance included a long pilgrimage to a holy site.

   Synonymesamendsatonementexpiationreparationself-abasementself-mortificationself-punishment

   Antonymesenjoymentindulgencereward