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penitentiary |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Penitentiary \Pen`i*ten"tia*ry\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]nitentiaire.] 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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Penitentiary \Pen`i*ten"tia*ry\, n.; pl {Penitentiaries}. [Cf. F. p['e]nitencier. 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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: penitentiary adj : used for punishment or reform of criminals or wrongdoers; "penitentiary institutions" n : a correctional institution for those convicted of major crimes [syn: {pen}]
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