penitentiary
penitentiary is a 12-letter English word with 13 senses as adjective and noun in the JumbleFix dictionary. One common meaning is: Relating to penance, or to the rules and measures of penance. Face value is 17 in Scrabble and 19 in Words With Friends. Use the entries below when you need a playable sense, a nearby word, or another arrangement of the same letters.
Definitions
- adjective. Relating to penance, or to the rules and measures of penance.
- adjective. Expressive of penitence; as, a penitentiary letter.
- adjective. Used for punishment, discipline, and reformation.
- noun. One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.
- noun. One who does penance.
- noun. A small building in a monastery where penitents confessed.
- noun. That part of a church to which penitents were admitted.
- noun. 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.
- noun. An officer in some dioceses since A. D. 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.
- noun. A house of correction, in which offenders are confined for punishment, discipline, and reformation, and in which they are generally compelled to labor.
- noun. a correctional institution for those convicted of major crimes
- adjective. showing or constituting penance
"penitential tears"
"wrote a penitential letter apologizing for her hasty words"
- adjective. used for punishment or reform of criminals or wrongdoers
"penitentiary institutions"
Synonyms
Common word forms
Words from these letters
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