Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Change to a better frame of mind; repentance.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun rare Wisdom derived from severe experience; hence, repentance.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun wisdom from experience
  • noun repentance
  • noun recognition of a past mistake and the desire to improve in the future

Etymologies

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Examples

Comments

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  • Recognition of past mistakes and desire to do better in future. "It is derived from Latin resipiscere which means 'to recover one's senses,' and is a useful term for any member of the business community to remember." (From Foyle's Philavery: A Treasury of Unusual Words, by Christopher Foyle.)

    October 3, 2007

  • Beautiful word and fun to say. I'd love to see it used more often.

    October 4, 2007

  • You're right, palooka. I feel resipiscence about not having used this word more often. ;-)

    October 4, 2007