adjective

1. of or for penance
2. used in punishing, disciplining, and reforming
3. making one liable to imprisonment in a penitentiary
4. of or in a penitentiary

Etymology: ML penitentiarius, poenitentiarius (form and meaning infl. by assoc. with L poena: see penal) < L paenitentia < paenitens, penitent

noun pl. penitentiaries -·ries

1. Etymology: ML penitentiaria < the adj.

   1. a prison
   2. ☆ a state or federal prison for persons convicted of serious crimes

2. Etymology: ML(Ec) penitentiarius < the adj.

   an office or tribunal headed by a cardinal (Grand Penitentiary) and dealing with matters of penance, confession, dispensation, absolution, etc.