penitentiary

Meanings

Plural: penitentiaries

Noun

a correctional institution for those convicted of major crimes
A state or federal prison for convicted felons; (loosely) a prison.
A priest in the Roman Catholic Church who administers the sacrament of penance.
One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.
One who does penance.
A small building in a monastery, or a part of a church, where penitents confessed.
An office of the papal court which examines cases of conscience, confession, absolution from vows, etc., and delivers decisions, dispensations, etc.; run by a cardinal called the Grand Penitentiary who is appointed by the pope.
An officer in some dioceses since 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.

Adjective Satellite

used for punishment or reform of criminals or wrongdoers
- "penitentiary institutions"
showing or constituting penance

Adj

Of or relating to penance; penitential.
Of or relating to the punishment of criminals.

Origin / Etymology

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

Synonyms

pen, penitential

Scrabble Score: 17

penitentiary is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
penitentiary is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
penitentiary is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 19

penitentiary is a valid Words With Friends word