Category:Penal

Pe"nal, a. Etym: [l. poenalis, fr. poena punishment: cf. F. pénal. See pain.]

Defn: of or pertaining to punishment, to penalties, or to crimes and Offenses; pertaining to criminal jurisprudence: as: (a) enacting or threatening punishment; as, a penal statue; the penal Code. (b) incurring punishment; subject to a penalty; as, a penalact of Offense. (c) inflicted as punishment; used as a means of punishment; as, a Penal colony or settlement. "adamantine chains and penal fire." Milton. Penal code (law), a code of laws concerning crimes and Offenses and their punishment. -- penal laws, penal statutes (law), laws prohibited certain acts, And imposing penalties for committing them. -- penal servitude, imprisonment with hard labor, in a prison, in Lieu of transportation. [great brit.] -- penal suit, penal action (law), a suit for penalties.