Dictionary Entry
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.
12 letters · Scrabble 17 · Words With Friends 19 · 13 senses
Definitions
- 1adjective
Relating to penance, or to the rules and measures of penance.
- 2adjective
Expressive of penitence; as, a penitentiary letter.
- 3adjective
Used for punishment, discipline, and reformation.
- 4noun
One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.
- 5noun
One who does penance.
- 6noun
A small building in a monastery where penitents confessed.
- 7noun
That part of a church to which penitents were admitted.
- 8noun
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.
- 9noun
An officer in some dioceses since A. D. 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.
- 10noun
A house of correction, in which offenders are confined for punishment, discipline, and reformation, and in which they are generally compelled to labor.
- 11noun
a correctional institution for those convicted of major crimes
Synonyms
- 12adjective
showing or constituting penance
"penitential tears"
"wrote a penitential letter apologizing for her hasty words"
Synonyms
- 13adjective
used for punishment or reform of criminals or wrongdoers
"penitentiary institutions"
Synonyms
Common word forms
Words from these letters
If you are holding these tiles, the unscrambler for PENITENTIARY lists every valid word you can make from the same letters, including shorter plays.