Penitentiary
Pronunciation
- enPR: pÄ•n'·Ä·tÄ•nʹ·shə·rÄ“, IPA: /ËŒpÉ›nɪˈtÉ›nʃəɹi/
Origin
From Medieval Latin penitentiaria ("place of penitence"), term used by the Quakers in Pennsylvania during the 1790s, describing a place for penitents to dwell upon their sins.
Full definition of penitentiary
Noun
penitentiary
(plural penitentiaries)- (US) A state or federal prison for convicted felons.
- 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
Derived terms
Adjective
penitentiary
- Of or relating to penance; penitential.
- Archbishop Bramhall:A penitentiary tax.
- Of or relating to the punishment of criminals.
- Blackstone:Penitentiary houses.