One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.
One who does penance.
A small building in a monastery where penitents confessed.
That part of a church to which penitents were admitted.
A house of correction, in which offenders are confined for punishment, discipline, and reformation, and in which they are generally compelled to labor; a prison; a jail. Colloquially often shortened to pen.
An office of the papal court which examines cases of conscience, confession, absolution from vows, etc., and delivers decisions, dispensations, etc. Its chief is a cardinal, called the Grand Penitentiary, appointed by the pope.
An officer in some dioceses since A. D. 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.
