Etymology From Middle English repenten, from Old French repentir, from Vulgar Latin *repaenitīre, from Late Latin paenitīre, from Classical Latin paenitēre. Compare Modern French repentir.
To feel pain, sorrow, or regret for what one has done or omitted to do; the cause for repenting may be indicated with "of".
Marry in haste, repent at leisure.
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Luke 17:1–4:
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And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Jonah 3:10:
If Aljunied decides to go that way (to vote for Workers' Party), well Aljunied has five years to live and repent.2011 April 30, Lee Kuan Yew, as quoted, “Aljunied voters will regret choosing WP: MM Leel”, in Yahoo News:
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Lifestyle, Religion, Theology To be sorry for sin as morally evil, and to seek forgiveness; to cease to practice sin and to love.
... Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Mark 1:14–15:
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Acts 2:38–40:
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I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Luke 13:3:
Mad Prophet: Repent! Repent and restore your souls to glory before it is too late! This great station has fallen, and all within shall fall with it!2012, BioWare, Mass Effect 3: Omega (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, PC, scene: Gozu District:
The Court shall, after sentencing an offender for any offence under section 221, 222, 223 or 224 and before execution of the punishment, order the offender to repent.2013, Hassanal Bolkiah, “Syariah Penal Code Order, 2013”, in Brunei Darussalem Government Gazette, page 1759:
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To feel pain on account of; to remember with sorrow.
If Aljunied decides to go that way (to vote for the Workers' Party), well Aljunied has five years to live and repent.2011 April 30, Lee Kuan Yew, as quoted, “Aljunied voters will regret choosing WP: MM Lee”, in Yahoo News:
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To be sorry for, to regret.
I repent my sins.
And what I ſaid in time of our buſines I repent not, And if it were to ſpeake againe, Euerie word ſhould be a whole ſermon, So much I repent me.1593, anonymous author, The Life and Death of Iacke Straw […], →OCLC, Act IV:
at that time she wolde nat, she seyde, for she was syke and myght nat ryde. "That me repentith," seyde the kynge[…].1470–1485 (date produced), Thomas Malory, “(please specify the chapter)”, in [Le Morte Darthur], book VII, [London: […] by William Caxton], published 31 July 1485, →OCLC; republished as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer, editor, Le Morte Darthur […], London: David Nutt, […], 1889, →OCLC:
And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Genesis 6:6:
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Obsolete To cause (oneself) to feel pain or regret.
But if that I knewe what his name hight, For clatering of me I would him ſone quight; For his falſe lying, of that I ſpake never, I could make him ſhortly repent him forever: […]c. 1515–1516, published 1568, John Skelton, Againſt venemous tongues enpoyſoned with ſclaunder and falſe detractions &c.
The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 110:4:
Etymology From Latin rēpēns, present participle of rēpō (“to creep”).
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Biology, Botany, Natural sciences Creeping along the ground.
The pennated, repent and ferine entities of the boscage, are ousels, shellducks, […] and ursine quadrupeds.1870, Samuel Klinefelter Hoshour, Letters to Squire Pedant in the East, page 54: