penance / penants / pennants [ˈpɛnən(t)s]
penance – n. & v. – n. – 1. the performance of an act to show sincere sorrow over a previous action; 2. pain, suffering; v. – 1. impose a punishment; 2. chastise
penants – n. pl. of penant – 1. people who are performing acts of contrition; 2. souls suffering in purgatory
pennants – n. pl. of pennant – 1. a long, tapering triangular flag; 2. Music – the hook of the quaver; 3. a layer of grit and sandstone between two layers of coal, used especially in Britain