penitentiary

1. a. Relating to penance, or to the rules and measures of penance. Source: opted

2. a. Expressive of penitence; as, a penitentiary letter. Source: opted

3. a. Used for punishment, discipline, and reformation. Source: opted

4. n. One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance. Source: opted

5. n. One who does penance. Source: opted

6. n. A small building in a monastery where penitents confessed. Source: opted

7. n. That part of a church to which penitents were admitted. Source: opted

8. n. 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. Source: opted

9. n. An officer in some dioceses since A. D. 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him. Source: opted

10. n. A house of correction, in which offenders are confined for punishment, discipline, and reformation, and in which they are generally compelled to labor. Source: opted

11. adj. used for punishment or reform of criminals or wrongdoers Source: wordnet

12. adj. showing or constituting penance Source: wordnet

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