Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Penitentiary
Penˊi-ten′tia-ry
(pĕnˊĭ-tĕn′shȧ-ry̆)
, Adj.
[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
letter3.
Used for punishment, discipline, and reformation.
“Penitentiary houses.” Blackstone.
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; a prison; a jail. Colloquially often shortened to
pen
. Webster 1828 Edition
Penitentiary
PENITEN'TIARY
,Adj.
PENITEN'TIARY
,Noun.
1.
A penitent; one that does penance.2.
At the court of Rome, an office in which are examined and delivered out the secret bulls, graces or dispensations relating to cases of conscience, confession, &c.3.
An officer in some cathedrals, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him. The pope has a grand penitentiary, who is a cardinal and is chief of the other penitentiaries.4.
A house of correction in which offenders are confined for punishment and reformation, and compelled to labor; a workhouse. A state prison is a penitentiary.