PENITENTIARY

penitentiary. Penitentiary, n. one who does penance, a confessor

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Pen′i‐ten″tia‐ry (–shȧ‐ry̆), a. [[Cf. F. pénitentiaire.]] 1. 1. Relating to penance, or to the rules and measures of penance. “A penitentiary tax.” Abp. Bramhall.
2. 2. Expressive of penitence; as, a penitentiary letter.
3. 3. Used for punishment, discipline, and reformation. “Penitentiary houses.” Blackstone.