/ Dictionary / Index P Penitente: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: Pen•i•ten•te Pronunciation: (pen"i-ten'tā, -tē), [key] — n. 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. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. penitent penitential Related Content Daily Word Quiz: feline Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language