Etymology Map
Back to all words

Penance

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a punishment taken on to show regret for wrongdoing

Where does the word "penance" come from? It comes from Latin paenitentia, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
paenitentia
Latin · ancient
"repentance"
from 'paenitere', to regret
2
Stage 2 of 3
penance
Old French · medieval
"repentance"
a church sacrament of confession and satisfaction
3
Stage 3 of 3
penance
English · 1200s
"a punishment for sin"
'penitentiary' shares the root
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Penance’s story begins in Latin: paenitentia meant “repentance.” From 'paenitere', to regret. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as penance. A church sacrament of confession and satisfaction. It reached English by 1200s as penance. 'penitentiary' shares the root. Today, penance means a punishment taken on to show regret for wrongdoing.