PENITENTIARY

penitential, penitentiary

(adjective) showing or constituting penance; “penitential tears”; “wrote a penitential letter apologizing for her hasty words”

penitentiary

(adjective) used for punishment or reform of criminals or wrongdoers; “penitentiary institutions”

penitentiary, pen

(noun) a correctional institution for those convicted of major crimes

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

penitentiary (plural penitentiaries)

(chiefly, US) A state or federal prison for convicted felons; (broadly) a prison.

A priest in the Roman Catholic Church who administers the sacrament of penance.

(obsolete) One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.

(obsolete) One who does penance.

(obsolete) A small building in a monastery, or a part of a church, where penitents confessed.

(obsolete) An office of the papal court which examines cases of conscience, confession, absolution from vows, etc, and delivers decisions, dispensations, etc.; run by a cardinal called the Grand Penitentiary who is appointed by the pope.

(obsolete) An officer in some dioceses since 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.

Synonyms

• (prison): pen

Adjective

penitentiary (not comparable)

Of or relating to penance; penitential.

Of or relating to the punishment of criminals.

Coordinate terms

• (relating to the punishment of criminals): carceral

Source: Wiktionary

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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

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