[pen-i-ten-tey, -tee] 
| a member of a religious order, chiefly in Spanish-American communities in New Mexico, known for their practice of self-flagellation, esp. during Holy Week. |
| Pen·i·ten·te (pěn'ĭ-těn'tā, -tē) n. A member of a Roman Catholic brotherhood in parts of the Southwest, of Native American and Hispanic origin, that celebrates the Passion with rites involving fasting and self-flagellation. [Spanish, from Latin paenitēns, paenitent-, penitent; see penitent.] |