Category:Penalty

Pe"nal*ty, n.; pl. Penalties. Etym: [f. pénalité. See penal.]

1. Penal retribution; punishment for crime or offense; the suffering In person or property which is annexed by law or judicial decision to The commission of a crime, offense, or trespass. Death is the penalty imposed. Milton.

2. The suffering, or the sum to be forfeited, to which a person Subjects himself by covenant or agreement, in case of nonfulfillment Of stipulations; forfeiture; fine. The penalty and forfeit of my bond. Shak.

3. A handicap. [sporting cant]

Note: the term penalty is in law mostly applied to a pecuniary Punishment. Bill of pains and penalties. See under bill. -- on, or under, penalty of, on pain of; with exposure to the Penalty of, in case of transgression.