Mid 16th century; earliest use found in Wilfrid Holme (d. 1538), author. From classical Latin paenitūdō regret, in post-classical Latin also repentance, pains, weariness from paenitus, past participle of paenitēre to repent + -tūdō.
Definition of penitude in US English:
penitude
noun
rare
Repentance.
Origin
Mid 16th century; earliest use found in Wilfrid Holme (d. 1538), author. From classical Latin paenitūdō regret, in post-classical Latin also repentance, pains, weariness from paenitus, past participle of paenitēre to repent + -tūdō.