punitiveness

Variant of punitive

punitive definition

pu·ni·tive (pyo̵̅o̅nə tiv)

adjective

inflicting, concerned with, or directed toward punishment
also punitory pu′·ni·to′ry

Etymology: ML punitivus < L punitus, pp. of punire, to punish

Related Forms:

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

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.