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punish definition

pun·ish (pun′is̸h)

transitive verb

  1. to cause to undergo pain, loss, or suffering for a crime or wrongdoing
  2. to impose a penalty on a wrongdoer for (an offense)
  3. to treat harshly or injuriously the punishing rays of the sun
  4. Informal to consume or use up

Etymology: ME punischen < extended stem of OFr punir < L punire, to punish < poena, punishment, penalty: see penal

intransitive verb

to deal out punishment

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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