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penitentiary

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Penitentiary is defined as a prison, or a tribunal in the Roman Catholic Church.

(noun)

An example of a penitentiary is a federal prison.
An example of a penitentiary is a judgment session overseen by a cardinal that deals with questions of conscience.

The definition of penitentiary is punishable by imprisonment, or used for punishment or disciplining.

(adjective)

An example of penitentiary used as an adjective is in the phrase "penitentiary ruling," which means a ruling sending someone to prison for punishment.

See penitentiary in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

of or for penance
used in punishing, disciplining, and reforming
making one liable to imprisonment in a penitentiary
of or in a penitentiary

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

noun pl. penitentiaries

Origin: ML penitentiaria < the adj.
1. a prison
2. ☆ a state or federal prison for persons convicted of serious crimes
Origin: ML(Ec) penitentiarius < the adj.
an office or tribunal headed by a cardinal () and dealing with matters of penance, confession, dispensation, absolution, etc.

See penitentiary in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. pen·i·ten·tia·ries

A prison for those convicted of major crimes.
Roman Catholic Church
a. A tribunal of the Roman Curia having jurisdiction in matters relating to penance, dispensations, and papal absolutions.
b. A priest whose special function is the administration of the sacrament of penance in a particular church or diocese.

adjective

Of or for the purpose of penance; penitential.
Relating to or used for punishment or reform of criminals or wrongdoers.
Resulting in or punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiary: a penitentiary offense.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English penitenciarie, penance officer, episcopal prison

Origin: , from Medieval Latin pēnitentiāria

Origin: , feminine of pēnitentiārius

Origin: , from Latin paenitentia, penitence

Origin: , from paenitēns, penitent; see penitent

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