Feeling genuine regret and sorrow for something wrong you've done, with the desire to make amends.
From Latin 'poenitentia,' meaning 'repentance.' The word entered English through religious contexts where confession and penitence were central practices, carrying strong spiritual weight.
Interestingly, the word 'penitent' comes from the same Latin root as 'pain'—because medieval Christianity treated repentance as something that should hurt emotionally, making the language itself connect guilt with physical suffering!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.