Definitions of penitentiary [ˌpɛn ɪˈtɛn ʃə ri]

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Definition of 'penitentiary'

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

1. (n.) penitentiary
a place for imprisonment, reformatory discipline, or punishment, esp., in the U.S., a state or federal institution for serious offenders.

2. penitentiary
a tribunal in the Curia Romana, presided over by a cardinal having jurisdiction over certain matters, as penance, confession, or dispensation.

3. (adj.) penitentiary
(of an offense) punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiary.

4. penitentiary
of, pertaining to, or intended for imprisonment, reformatory discipline, or punishment.

Etymology: (1375–1425; late ME penitenciarie priest who administers penance, prison < ML pēnitentiārius of penance. See penitence , -ary)

Definition of 'penitentiary'

Princeton's WordNet

1. (adj) penitentiary, pen
a correctional institution for those convicted of major crimes

2. (adj) penitentiary
used for punishment or reform of criminals or wrongdoers
"penitentiary institutions"

3. (adj) penitential, penitentiary
showing or constituting penance
"penitential tears"; "wrote a penitential letter apologizing for her hasty words"

Definition of 'penitentiary'

Webster Dictionary

1. (adj) penitentiary
relating to penance, or to the rules and measures of penance

2. (adj) penitentiary
expressive of penitence; as, a penitentiary letter

3. (adj) penitentiary
used for punishment, discipline, and reformation

4. (noun) penitentiary
one who prescribes the rules and measures of penance

5. (noun) penitentiary
one who does penance

6. (noun) penitentiary
a small building in a monastery where penitents confessed

7. (noun) penitentiary
that part of a church to which penitents were admitted

8. (noun) penitentiary
an office of the papal court which examines cases of conscience, confession, absolution from vows, etc., and delivers decisions, dispensations, etc. Its chief is a cardinal, called the Grand Penitentiary, appointed by the pope

9. (noun) penitentiary
an officer in some dioceses since A. D. 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him

10. (noun) penitentiary
a house of correction, in which offenders are confined for punishment, discipline, and reformation, and in which they are generally compelled to labor

'penitentiary' - Nearby Entries
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