Penal
Penal , adjective
[Latin poenalis, from poena punishment: compare French pénal. See Pain.]
Of or pertaining to punishment, to penalties, or to crimes and offenses; pertaining to criminal jurisprudence
(a)
Enacting or threatening punishment; as, a penal statue; the penal code.
(b)
Incurring punishment; subject to a penalty; as, a penal act or offense.
(c)
Inflicted as punishment; used as a means of punishment; as, a penal colony or settlement.
Adamantine chains and penal fire.
Collocations (4)
Penal code (Law) , a code of laws concerning crimes and offenses and their punishment.
Penal laws or Penal statutes (Law) , laws prohibiting certain acts, and imposing penalties for committing them.
Penal servitude , imprisonment with hard labor, in a prison, in lieu of transportation. [Great Britain]
Penal suit or Penal action (Law) , a suit for penalties.