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penal definition

pe·nal (pē′nəl)

adjective

  1. of, for, or constituting punishment, esp. legal punishment
  2. specifying or prescribing punishment a penal code
  3. making a person liable to punishment a penal offense

Etymology: ME < L poenalis < poena, punishment (> pain) < Gr poinē, penalty, fine < IE *kwoina, punishment < base *kwei-, to heed, respect, avenge > Sans cáyatē, (he) avenges, Lith káina, price

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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