noun
- deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or the like.
- regret for any past action.
noun
- remorse or contrition for one’s past actions or sins
- an act or the process of being repentant; penitence
c.1300, from Old French repentance “penitence” (12c.), from present participle stem of repentir (see repent).
Repentance goes beyond feeling to express distinct purposes of turning from sin to righteousness; the Bible word most often translated repentance means a change of mental and spiritual attitude toward sin. [Century Dictionary]