Meaning

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

Definitions by Sense

1. (chiefly US) A state or federal prison for convicted felons; (loosely) a prison.
2. A priest in the Roman Catholic Church who administers the sacrament of penance.
3. (obsolete) One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.
4. (obsolete) One who does penance.
5. (obsolete) A small building in a monastery, or a part of a church, where penitents confessed.
6. (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.
7. (obsolete) An officer in some dioceses since 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.
8. Of or relating to penance; penitential.

Example Sentences

For quotations using this term, see Citations:penitentiary.

The Race of this Warre fell vpon the losse of Vrbin it selfe, which was the Dukes vndoubted Right; Yet in this case, no Penitentiary, (though hee had enioyned him neuer so strait Penance to expiate his first Offence,) would haue counselled him to haue giuen ouer the pursuit of his Right for Vrbin; Which after he prosperously re-obtained, […]

Topics which a priest may not treat , and which bishops declare are unfit for sacramental confession even in penitentiaries, become , with either public or private approval , the subject - matter of platform speeches

A penitentiary tax.

Penitentiary houses.

Word Forms

• penitentiaries

Synonyms for penitentiary

Related Words

When Should You Use Penitentiary?

Use penitentiary when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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