Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - penitent

 I. adjective  Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French ~, from Latin paenitent-, paenitens, from present participle of paenitere to cause regret, feel regret, perhaps from paene almost  Date: 14th century feeling or expressing humble or regretful pain or sorrow for sins or offenses ; repentant  • ~ly adverb  II. noun  Date: 14th century  1. a person who repents of sin  2. a person under church censure but admitted to penance or reconciliation especially under the direction of a confessor