c.1290, "to feel regret for sins or crimes," from O.Fr.
repentir (11c.), from
re-, intensive prefix, + V.L.
*penitire "to regret," from L.
poenitire "make sorry," from
poena (see
pain). The distinction between
regret (q.v.) and
repent is made in many modern languages, but the differentiation is not present in older periods.
Repentance is recorded from c.1300, from O.Fr.
repentance (12c.).
pənt