- (n.) A small building in a monastery where penitents confessed.
- (a.) Relating to penance or to the rules and measures of penance.
- (n.) 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.
- (a.) Expressive of penitence; as, a penitentiary letter.
- (n.) A house of correction, in which offenders are confined for punishment, discipline, and reformation, and in which they are generally compelled to labor.
- (a.) Used for punishment, discipline, and reformation.
- (n.) An officer in some dioceses since A. D. 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.
- (n.) That part of a church to which penitents were admitted.
- (n.) One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.
- (n.) One who does penance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). penitentiary. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/penitentiary/definitions/2043359 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "penitentiary" http://smartdefine.org/penitentiary/definitions/2043359 (accessed September 24, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, penitentiary, Smart Define, viewed 24 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/penitentiary/definitions/2043359>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "penitentiary" 27 May 2011. Web. 24 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/penitentiary/definitions/2043359> |