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penance
This entry is located in the following units: -ance, -ancy (page 9) poen-, peno-, poino-, poin-, puni-, pain-, penal-, pent- (page 2)
penance, pennants
penance (PEN uhns) (noun)
1. An action or a behavior that suggests sorrow or regret for a serious transgression: Andrew went to church every day as a penance for having taken a book from the bookstore without paying for it.

Shawn's penance for shoplifting in the grocery store was to write an essay on the social costs of shoplifting.

2. A sacramental rite involving contrition, confession of sins to a priest, the acceptance of penalties, and absolution: The pastor led the rite of penance for those in the congregation who attended.
pennants (PEN uhnts) (noun)
1. Nautical flags used for identification and signaling: The ship entered the harbor with all the colorful pennants flying.
2. Flags often associated with a winning sports team: The pennants of the champion football team were purple and yellow.
3. Flags or banners that taper to a point at one end: The pennants of the knights who supported the king were hung in the chapel.

The fans at the soccer game waved their pennants with enthusiasm and accidentally broke a window; however, when their team lost, the fans were so sad they felt a sense of penance and told the owner they would replace the window.