| a. | 1. | Of or pertaining to penitence, or to penance; expressing penitence; of the nature of penance; |
| n. | 1. | (R. C. Ch.) A book formerly used by priests hearing confessions, containing rules for the imposition of penances; - called also |
| Adj. | 1. | penitential - of or relating to penitence or penance; "the Day of Atonement is the great penitential day of the Hebrew calendar" |
| 2. | penitential - showing or constituting penance; "penitential tears"; "wrote a penitential letter apologizing for her hasty words" |