The expression “coffee break” was first attested in 1952 in glossy magazine advertisements by the Pan-American Coffee Bureau.
penitentiaries
plural of penitentiary
Source: Wiktionary
Pen`i*ten"tia*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. pénitentiaire.]
1. Relating to penance, or to the rules and measures of penance. "A penitentiary tax." Abp. Bramhall.
2. Expressive of penitence; as, a penitentiary letter.
3. Used for punishment, discipline, and reformation. "Penitentiary houses." Blackstone.
Pen`i*ten"tia*ry, n.; pl. Penitentiaries. Etym: [Cf. F. pénitencier. See Penitent.]
1. One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance. [Obs.] Bacon.
2. One who does penance. [Obs.] Hammond.
3. A small building in a monastery where penitents confessed. Shpiley.
4. That part of a church to which penitents were admitted. Shipley.
5. (R. C. Ch.) (a) 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. (b) An officer in some dioceses since A. D. 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.
6. A house of correction, in which offenders are confined for punishment, discipline, and reformation, and in which they are generally compelled to labor.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
4 April 2025
(verb) kill by cutting the head off with a guillotine; “The French guillotined many Vietnamese while they occupied the country”
The expression “coffee break” was first attested in 1952 in glossy magazine advertisements by the Pan-American Coffee Bureau.