Pronunciation: [pˈɛnəns] (IPA) 
The word "penance" is spelled with a long "a" sound and a soft "c." The IPA phonetic transcription for "penance" is /ˈpɛnəns/. The "a" sound is represented by the symbol /ɛ/ and the soft "c" by the symbol /s/. This word refers to an act of self-punishment or repentance for sins committed. It's important to spell words correctly to avoid confusion in communication and demonstrate an understanding of the English language.
Penance is a noun that refers to an act of self-imposed punishment or suffering undertaken as a form of repentance for sins or wrongdoing. It is commonly practiced in various religious traditions and is intended to demonstrate remorse or contrition while seeking forgiveness or absolution.
In religious contexts, penance often involves specific activities or rituals that are designed to symbolize or exemplify an individual's commitment to making amends for their transgressions. These practices can vary greatly depending on the faith tradition, ranging from prayers, fasting, and almsgiving to pilgrimages, self-flagellation, or extended periods of solitude and contemplation.
The concept of penance serves as an acknowledgment of personal responsibility for one's actions and seeks to restore spiritual equilibrium or reconcile with a higher power or community. It is believed to have the potential to bring about reconciliation, spiritual growth, and the restoration of a person's relationship with God or their community.
Outside of religious contexts, penance can also be used metaphorically to describe any self-imposed punishment, sacrifice, or difficult task undertaken as a way to atone for past mistakes or wrongdoing. It is an act of sincere remorse and a gesture towards making things right or seeking forgiveness from others.
Overall, penance represents a solemn act of contrition, intended to bring about personal growth, restoration, and reconciliation with oneself, a higher power, or those who have been affected by one's actions.
Voluntary or imposed pain or suffering, as punishment for faults, or as an expression of penitence.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "penance" originates from the Latin word "poenitentia", which means "repentance" or "regret". This Latin term is derived from the verb "poenitere", which translates to "to repent" or "to be sorry". Over time, the Latin word was adopted into Old French as "penance", and eventually made its way into the English language with the same meaning.
