resipiscences

Noun

resipiscence (usually uncountable, plural resipiscences)

1. (literary, usually) Recognition of one or more past mistakes, especially with a desire to improve in the future; repentance; (countable) an instance of this.
   • And I haue already ſayd how ſinners for obteyning of pardon haue neede of repentance, which ſome like better to call Reſipiſcence, or amendment, and of change of minde: and the Lord promiſeth that he will pardon ſinners if they repent, if they amend and turne their hartes from their naughtie liues...1570, [Alexander Nowell], “The Second Part. Of the Gospell and Faith.”, in T[homas] Norton, transl., A Catechisme, or First Instruction and Learning of Christian Religion. […], London: […] Iohn Daye...
2. (literary, usually) The act of becoming comprehending, reasonable or responsible, especially after having behaved in an uncomprehending, unreasonable, or irresponsible manner; the act of coming to one's senses; (countable) an instance of this.
   • The most urgent thing to do seems to be that we come all together in having at once our Ministers in France give a joint declaration or like and simultaneous declarations which may bring to their senses the leaders of the violent party [behind the French Revolution] and avert desperate decisions by...1928 December 17, J[oshua] Reuben Clark, quoting Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor, “The Grand Alliance and the Holy Alliance [Leopold II to the Empress of Russia, the Electress of Mayence, and the...