Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Punitive

Pu′ni-tive

,
Adj.
Of or pertaining to punishment; involving, awarding, or inflicting punishment;
as,
punitive
law or justice
.
If death be
punitive
, so, likewise, is the necessity imposed upon man of toiling for his subsistence.
I. Taylor.
We shall dread a blow from the
punitive
hand.
Bagehot.

Webster 1828 Edition


Punitive

PU'NITIVE

,
Adj.
Awarding or inflicting punishment; that punishes; as punitive law or justice.