penitentiary

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin penitentiaria (“place of penitence”), term used by the Quakers in Pennsylvania during the 1790s, describing a place for penitents to dwell upon their sins.

Pronunciation

• enPR: pĕn·ĭ·'tĕn·shŭ·rē

Noun

penitentiary (plural penitentiaries)

1. (US) A state or federal prison for convicted felons.
2. (Roman Catholic Church) A priest who administers the sacrament of penance.

Synonyms

• (prison): pen

Derived terms

• pen

Translations

prison

French: pénitencier (fr) m. German: Gefängnis (de) n. Italian: penitenziario (it)

Norwegian: fengsel (no) n., kasjott (no) m. (dated) Portuguese: penitenciária (pt) f. Spanish: penitenciaría (es) f.

Adjective

penitentiary (not comparable)

1. of or relating to penance; penitential
2. of or relating to the punishment of criminals

Coordinate terms

• carceral

Translations

of or relating to prison

Norwegian: fengsels- (affix construction)