1. (n.) A means of repairing a sin committed, and obtaining pardon for it\, consisting partly in the performance of expiatory rites, partly in voluntary submission to a punishment corresponding to the transgression. Penance is the fourth of seven sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church.

2. (n.) Repentance.

3. (n.) Pain; sorrow; suffering.

4. (v. t.) To impose penance; to punish.

Day of Atonement Yom Kippur abject apology amends apology asceticism atone atonement attrition baptism change of heart cold purgatorial fires compensation compunction confirmation contrition deathbed repentance do penance extreme unction fasting flagellation hair shirt heartfelt apology holy orders lustration maceration make amends matrimony mea culpa mortification pay penal retribution penalization penalty penitence penitential act penitential exercise penitently price punishment purgation purgatory reformation regret remorse remorsefulness reparation repentance rue ruth sackcloth and ashes saeta self-mortification self-punishment seven sacraments suffer suffering the Eucharist wearing a hairshirt